As Past Financial Records Cannot Be Traced
PHOTO: Madam Hawa Loleya Norris, Bong County Superintendent
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The administration of Bong County has placed its total liabilities to nearly nine hundred thousand United States Dollars.
These liabilities, Superintendent Hawa Loleya Norris, and the County Financial Officer, Mr. Silas K. Tokpa say, were incurred under the periods of 2012 to 2024.
Under the $890,090.75 USD debt, the Bong County administrators explained that the county owes a total of two hundred and seventy-nine thousand, five hundred forty- two dollars and forty-six cents ($279,542.46USD) for projects liability per resolution from 2012 to 2018; the county also owes the former Project Management Committee (PMC) staff (Honorarium arrears) from 2014-2018 a sum of $13,080.00 USD.
The Bong County leadership told a news conference in Gbarnga that there’s an arrear of $158,833.75 USD for allotment to institutions from the November 11, 2019 Council Sitting, and additional projects allotment per resolution for the November 11, 2019 Council Sitting a sum of $302,302.95 USD.
Currently, both Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris and Mr. Silas K. Tokpa say, the County is indebted to the current PMC (Honorarium arrears from November 12, 2018 to March 31, 2024) a sum of $136,332.00 USD.
Current records since sworn
Since their inauguration on May 14, 2024 to June 10, 2024, both Madam Norris and Mr. Tokpa stated that they received $9,100 USD with $1.44 Million Liberian Dollars for Building rental, Bong County Sports Association and the MIA (Chiefs election).
The report also noted that US $5,600.00 and LRD 200,000.00 were expanded by the administration and the Sports committee with a bank balance of USD $3,560.83 and LRD 844,255.60, respectively.
This is not the general county balance as there’s still a moratorium placed on the county’s account.
Currently, the new leadership along with the Bong Legislative Caucus is working to lifting the moratorium that was placed based on “several financial improprieties” by the past leadership.
14 different accounts discovered
Speaking to reporters Monday, June 10, 2024, the Mr. Silas K. Tokpa disclosed that they have discovered fourteen (14) different accounts for the county at the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI).
According to him, the management of LBDI has not responded to the county’s communication of financial details in this regard.
When contacted, Mr. Abraham D. Flomo, LBDI Bong County Branch Manager declined to speak on the matter.
Mr. Topka recommends the establishment of a consolidated account that “will have subsidiaries accounts fo the purpose of proper accountability”.
“We will recommend to the LBDI to request change of signatories to these accounts while the other shall be closed to avoid bank charges”.
No past financial records
Further elaborating, Mr. Silas K. Tokpa stated that he didn’t receive past financial documents including bank balances, bank statements and other financial instruments from Mr. Paul A. Solunteh, former Fiscal Superintendent of Bong County.
Mr. Solunteh hasn’t spoken to the issue.
Call for audits
Meanwhile, the Bong County leaders have called on the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to audit the “following accounts and transactions- sports stadium committee, Gbarnga Administration Building Hall rental, and the Bong County Sports Association for the period of November 11, 2018 to May 14, 2024”.
Both Superintendent Loleya Hawa Norris and Mr. Silas Tokpa called for a month spot audit through the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) for the transition period.
During her induction ceremony on May 14, 2024, Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris calld for a comprehensive audit in the county.
Madam Norris maintained that the audit will help to inform her leadership on the workings of the county over the years, successes, developments, challenges and recommendations that will move the county forward.
She clarified that her action is not to witch-hunt anyone, stressing that “we have come to reconcile, improve and develop Bong County as the forward match of Bong will not business as usual”.
Madam Hawa Loleyah Norris openly called on citizens to hold together for the forward match of the county.