PHOTO: FIND boss, Aaron Juakollie
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia: The Foundation for International Dignity (FIND) Executive Director has joined other human rights organizations in the central Bong County to threaten to resist the proposed April 15-16 County Council Sitting, in the absence of the implementation of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) report that unearthed serious acts of corruption.
The GAC audit, among other findings, revealed in the report that Bong County Administration headed by superintendent Esther Walker and controversial PMC Chairman Stephen Mulbah paid four contractors amounting to US$59,000 for projects without evidence of work done.
The GAC also established that the administration of Bong expended the amount of US$396,820 on projects without evidence of Bid Evaluation Reports, National Competitive Bidding, Contracts, Article of Incorporations, Business Registration, and Tax Clearance.
Some of the groups include the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), Delta Human Rights Foundation and the Civic Education Rural Liberia. These three civil society organizations in February released an investigative report on the reported mismanagement of funds by leaders in the county.
They also accused lawmakers and other county officials including the Project Management Committee of violating the PPCC Act in awarding contracts to companies.
Speaking in the county recently, human rights activist, Aaron Juakollie stated that the Local Governance Act of 2018 provides the opportunity to the local people to decide projects and allocate the needed budget at every council sitting.
The FIND boss narrated that until projects earmarked during the 2018 sitting are actualized, they will not allow members of the Bong caucus conduct the county sitting.
Mr. Juakollie argued that although they are seeking for the implementation of the Local Governance Act, but implementing the audit report before county sitting is vital as the county’s account is almost at zero without tangible.
The rights group official, like the three groups has threatened to seek legal interpretations from the Supreme Court if there’s a county council sitting without the implementation of the Local Governance Act of 2018 and without accountability.
Legislative Caucus chair vows implementation of audit report
Meanwhile, the Bong County Legislative Caucus chair has pledged the county leadership’ commitment to ensuring that the recent General Auditing Commission diminishing finding on Bong’s mismanaged resources are implemented in conformity with the laws of Liberia.
To get a better understanding, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah announced the set-up of a two-man committee that will report to them shortly. She named Representative James Kolleh of electoral district#2 and Representative Robert Flomo Womba of district#4 based on their legal understandings.
She told www.newspublictrust.com that they have also sought some interpretations before engaging the accused parties, promising that this audit will never be compared to previous audits that have not been implemented in Bong.
According to her, all companies or contractors that were mentioned of receiving money without implementing projects will refund the county’s money.
On the issue of the county sitting, Madam Briggs Mensah announced that the pending April 15-16 County sitting has been postponed to ensure that those regulatory processes of getting its 1million United States dollars from the government is guaranteed as they have written the government through the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Finance in reminder.
She clarified that the postponement of the county sitting was not triggered by the calls from CSOs or sentimental issues in the county.
The General Auditing Commission report on Bong County Social Development Funds covers between 2018 to 2021.
The GAC said the administration of the county disbursed the total amount of US$366,000 and L$1,920,000 to twelve (12) institutions as county support without evidence of supporting documents.
The total allotment approved by the Bong County Council Sitting for liabilities to contractors amounting to US$760,380 for projects, only US$468,900 was paid, thus resulting in outstanding liabilities of US$291,479.
There was a variance of US$222,664 between the total amounts disbursed to Bong County Administration as per the Fiscal Outturn Report 2018/2019 and the total amount received as per the Expenditure Report.
Further, there was no evidence of supporting documents to prove how the payments were done.
It can be recorded, the Plenary of the House of Representatives in August 2021, ordered the GAC to conduct an audit of Bong County Development Funds from 2018 to 2021 and make available findings to serve as the basis for the investigation of corruption allegations among county officials.
Since the release of the report, it has triggered mixed reactions in Bong County as hundreds of residents want justice and retribution.
Mr. Joe Benson Josiah took to Facebook “Bad news for BONG COUNTY Administration.
Why local officials should siphoned social funds when the Presidency is fighting for NATION’s Development? I stand with Representative Josiah Marvin Cole for his courage. I think it is the best time to act expeditiously Mr. President. Many thanks to GAC and those civil Human Rights group.”
Another citizen, Josephus Baar wrote “These are the real Zogos! I hope they don’t go unpunished.”
Saiyon Ayouba Kaba believes, “We are our own problems we not love ourselves, we cry every time the country is under develop, but the people that are in power very corrupt and wicked”
Another citizen in Bong County, Marcus Wokpeh reacted: “Mother Walker ascendency was a waste to Bong County. Very poor results. No wonder why she said leadership that not education, she never stopped there, but again to abused Degrees holder in Bong.”
GAC is the independent constitutional external auditor of Liberia, which supports Legislative oversight over the management of public resources. The institution serves the people of Liberia by conducting quality and timely financial, compliance and performance audits.