GBARNGA, Bong County — How time flies! Elected on October 11, 2023 and sworn into office on January 15, 2024, lawmakers across the seven political districts of Bong County where elections were held are already ticking the 100 days box in their respective districts.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
However, in just 100 days, it’s been different strokes for different districts in Bong. While some lawmakers have already hit the ground running in what typifies the assertion that they came prepared, some are still struggling to settle down and others, although a function of choice as it has turned out, have chosen to take their time.
Conversely, 100 days might seem somewhat insignificant a yardstick to measure the prospect of any district under its current lawmaker at different levels, it also cannot be glossed over as a gathering storm that could ultimately be used to score the district at the end of six years if they sustain the current pace.
Thus, from electoral District One to electoral District Seven of the county, reports from the seven political districts differ. It is either such reports are determined by the capacity of the lawmaker, who has a clear idea, where he or she is headed or a function of being a lawmaker on assumption of office.
But on the whole, excuses may not suffice as examiners are marking the scripts only on the basis of evidenced performances. This is why the 100 days report cards as filed by our Sub-editor Selma Lomax editor cannot be either overemphasized or underemphasized at this stage.
REP. PRINCE KOINAH, INDEPENDENT, DISTRICT ONE
Rep. Prince Koinah came to office with the promise to hit the ground running and reposition the district on the path of accelerated development.
After 100 days, most people are confident that the lawmaker means business, even though others are of the opinion that it is still too early to celebrate the Accountant-turn politician.
The lawmaker told the people: “I am not about politicizing the traditional 100 days in office rituals. I have a six-year mandate. Rather than rush and try to impress after a hundred days, I will rather have the people assess us on what we have done so far and engage us on areas we need to strengthen.”
RATING: B
ROBERT WOMBA, DISTRICT FOUR, UNITY PARTY:
A second term lawmaker, Rep. Robert Womba is not new to the traditional celebration of first 100 days in office. But it would have been preposterous to expect any eye-catching achievements in the first 100 days of his second tenure, which commenced on January 15, 2024.
There was no indication to that effect when he addressed residents of District Four one week into his second term. He did say, “The primary focus of our leadership for the next six years will be consolidating on the achievements of our first tenure, completing all our ongoing projects . . .”Riding on the crest of that assurance amidst the second tenure euphoria.”
The days have rolled in with no major thing to mark it. Much of the 100-day period of Rep. Womba was akin to a foetus in its embryonic stage. The lawmaker only managed to make six visitations to his district in his first 100 days of his second term without any noticeable impact. Apparently, the lawmaker is still studying the compass, unsure of the direction to go.
RATING: F
REP. EUGINE JM KOLLIE, DISTRICT FIVE, CDC:
Eugine JM KOLLIE emerged winner of the representative election in electoral District Five on the platform of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC), promising to run a leadership that is effective, efficient and one which seeks to provide optimal support to the residents in leading a safe and productive life in line with their desires and opportunities.
According to Rep. Kollie, his inroad to the Capitol Building was borne out of his passion to serve humanity, as he maintained that before attaining his current status, he had used all his life serving humanity through his philanthropic gestures and social responsibilities to the people of District Five.
He made it clear at his certification program in January that providing good governance was not negotiable, stating that he was of the strong belief that it is only through improved governance that the benefits of democratic development must directly impact the lives of its people.
A little over 100 days after, residents of District Five have experienced the fulfilment of some of these promises in different sectors, with many of them having nothing but accolades for the lawmaker while some, like residents of Yellequelleh District and Kpatawee Clan, have already begun to ask for more.
Rep. Kollie, on assumption of office, had left no one in doubt that that his leadership was set to liberate the downtrodden masses from the grip of underdevelopment and relieve them of some of the hardships occasioned by the current state of the country’s economy.
As an advocate of transparency and accountability, the former cell phone repairer has pushed the management of Jalk Enterprise, the company managing the Kpatawee Waterfalls in Suakoko District, to work in line with the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the then superintendent of Bong County Esther Walker amid complaints from residents of the Clan of bad labor practice, rampant abuse to women of the Clan and neglect.
In the space of 100 Days, the lawmaker provided power saws to the four clans for the rehabilitation process of dilapidated houses owned by parents who can not afford across the district;
He provided $30 Million Liberian dollars loan of which 5 Million Liberian dollars was already given to women across the district. Additionally, he then gave 100 bundles of zinc to kick-off the construction and rehabilitation of houses for residents of the district.
As if that was not enough, weeks later, he provided 700 bags of cement to kick-off the construction and rehabilitation of houses for most needy residents of the district, a move hailed by many as a “timely gesture”.
RATING: A
REP. JAMES M. KOLLEH, DISTRICT TWO , PUP:
The emergence of the People’s Unification Party (PUP) lawmaker remains a surprise in the political annals of the district.The development is borne out of sheer resentment against Edward Emmanuel Gboe, who finished second to Rep. Kolleh 2023.
This is based on the fact that Rep. Kolleh has not been able to embark on any programs that could change the condition of the people. Expectations are already high to the extent that residents expect some magic overnight. But the narrative in the district remains the same. The blame game has continued to characterize his representation.
For residents of District Two in Bong County, it’s 100 days of inaction. The 100 days in office of Rep. Kolleh have been described as a leadership of no action.
Some District Two’s residents who spoke with FrontPageAfrica said the lawmaker had performed below expectations, as there were no tangible projects or programs put in place to show that he was ready to take up the gauntlet as promised during electioneering.
Speaking on the lawmaker’s 100 days in office, a resident of the district, Joshua Sengbeh, said the lawmaker has performed poorly, particularly his promise to them of constructing the Dortah bridge.
Promising to complete the construction of the bridge in September of 2023, Rep. Kolleh said: “
RATING: F
FODAY FAHNBULLEH, DISTRICT SEVEN, INDEPENDENT
In just 100 days of Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh’s representation, a lot has been achieved in literally all sectors. At his certification program, Rep. Fahnbulleh assured the people of the district that he would achieve a lot during his first term.
As a former mining activist who was once jailed, Rep. Fahnbulleh, an independent candidate, ran his campaign on the mantra to hold China Union, a mining company operating in the district,
to the infrastructure and social service clauses in the 25-year concession agreement it signed in 2009.
Not long after taking office, Rep. Fahnbulleh wrote a letter to the Liberian legislature, calling for an investigation into China Union for alleged breaches of its contract obligations, which include paving a modern road in Bong County, hiring Liberians to comprise at least 70% of its workforce, and building a hydro-power plant. After accepting Fahnbulleh’s letter, the House Committee on Lands, Mines, Natural Resources and the Environment subpoenaed China Union to offer a formal response to his accusations.
Rep. Fahnbulleh’s election is raising hopes not just in Fuamah District but the entire District Seven as a whole as China Union is close to embarking on the rehabilitation of feeder roads in the district, ahead of the rainy season.
When FrontPageAfrica visited the district, residents were full of praise for Fahnbulleh. One resident told our reporter, “What our lawmaker has done in his first one hundred days are so countless to name. We have not seen this kind of representation in many years.”
Randall Diggs, a resident of Bong Mines, told FrontPageAfrica, saying”To pressure China Union to live of to its corporate social responsibility is a milestone achieved over the period by Rep. Fahnbulleh and he should be celebrated by everyone who means well for the growth and development of the district.”
RATING: A
REP. MARVIN COLE, DISTRICT THREE, CDC
For this second term in office, the greatest achievement of Rep. Marvin Cole in his first 100 days in office was the donation of drugs to the C.B. Dunbar Hospital.
The change of regime from the Coalition of Democratic Change to Unity Party appears to be hurting the CDC lawmaker as his regular Saturday donation of cups of rice to old folks in the district has cut off. Besides, the lawmaker has cancelled his tuition aid at Cuttington University, an attribution to the change of regime.
RATING: C