IPNEWS: Bong County Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris has taken decisive action by requesting audits from the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to scrutinize past financial transactions under the leadership of previous County officials.
The audit will specifically focus on accounts related to the Sports Stadium Committee, Gbarnga Administrative Building Hall rental, and the Bong County Sports Association from November 11, 2018, to May 14, 2024.
Superintendent Norris emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in governance, highlighting her commitment to President Joseph N. Boakai’s leadership.
She noted that she hopes to push for full implementation of the President’s ARREST agenda—something she said leaders must develop or cultivate in the sense of good governance and accountability in work.
She has also reached out to the Central Bank of Liberia to address discrepancies in the Bong County account, including outstanding balances and missing financial documents inherited from the former administration.
“We have discovered fourteen (14) difference accounts from the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) and we have again written the LBDI regarding the balances of these accounts. There were no turned-over notes provided by the former Fiscal Affairs Superintendent of the County that would provide some basis for the smooth operations of the office,” he noted.
The current leadership of Bong County faces the challenge of managing a significant debt of over $800,000 inherited from the past regime, including project liabilities, unpaid arrears, and allotments issued from previous council meetings.
The Superintendent alleged that she did not obtain any financial documents such as bank balances, bank statements, and other financial instruments required for accountant and manager operations from the office of the former Fiscal Affairs Superintendent.
“My administration inherited from the County Project Management Committee total liabilities of US$809, 090.75.,” she said. “Out of this amount, the county owes US$279,542.46 for project liability. The county also owes the former PMC staff US$13,080.00 in arrears.”
“There is also an arrear of US$158,833.75 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 US$302,302.95,” she said. “The County is indebted to the current PMC (from November 12, 2018 to March 31, 2024) a sum of US$136,332.00.”
She further revealed that since taking office on May 14, to June 10, her office has received US$9,100.00 with L$1.44 million for building rental, Bong County Sports Association, and the MIA (Chiefs election).
The report also noted that US$5,600.00 and L$200,000.00 were expanded by the administration and the Sports committee with a bank balance of US$3,560.83 and L$844,255.60, respectively.
The Superintendent disclosed these financial obligations during a press conference, providing a detailed breakdown of the outstanding debts and current financial status of the County. The initiative to conduct audits and address financial discrepancies reflects the new administration’s commitment to financial transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the new county leadership, along with the Bong Legislative Caucus, is working to lift the moratorium that was placed based on “several financial improprieties” by the past leadership.
In 2021, members of the House of Representatives voted in acceptance of a recommendation to place a moratorium on Bong County’s account and further requested an audit of the account.
Recommendations to place the moratorium and audit the county’s account were made by some lawmakers in session on Tuesday, 10 August 2021. The moratorium meant that there would be no withdrawals from the county’s account until the ban was lifted.
The decision was reached following a letter from Bong County District #3 Representative Marvin Cole to invite Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf and the county’s Superintend Esther Walker to appear before Plenary and explain the alleged mismanagement of over $80,000 from the county’s coffers.
During the appearance on Tuesday, Minister Sirleaf and Superintendent Walker denied financial malpractice and said they have been working in line with the law.
The collaborative effort between the County leadership and the Bong Legislative Caucus to address past financial improprieties and lift the moratorium on the County’s account signifies a shared goal of ensuring responsible financial management for the benefit of the residents of Bong County. By Patrick S. Tokpah
