Nimba Superintendent Gono Defends Fund Management, Challenges SDF Guidelines

SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County – Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono has mounted a strong defense of her administration’s management of the county’s Social Development Fund (SDF), reaffirming her commitment to accountability, decentralization, and transparency while challenging what she described as “contradictory” guidelines governing the use of the fund.

Speaking during a county engagement, Superintendent Gono stressed that all project expenditures have been vetted and approved by the Nimba County Council in line with Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) standards. She insisted Nimba is one of Liberia’s most compliant counties, citing the presence of a resident lawyer and administrator backing council operations.

Gono questioned why SDF regulations permit the purchase of heavy-duty “yellow machines” but restrict investments in schools, tourism, or storm-related reconstruction. “What guidelines allow machines but restrict education and development? Isn’t road construction also the role of Public Works? Let the people of Nimba be the judge,” she said.

The superintendent emphasized that her office consults the Nimba Legislative Caucus before budget approvals and regularly updates lawmakers on county priorities. She welcomed dialogue with Senators Nya D. Twayen and other caucus members to strengthen transparency.

Highlighting the Local Government Act of 2018, Gono reminded that budget approval rests with the county council, not individual lawmakers. She praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s fiscal decentralization push, describing it as “a new path for Liberia.”

Spending Highlights and Accountability

Superintendent Gono outlined several county interventions, including US$50,000 to Nimba University for professional capacity building, US$80,000 to the County Health Team for maternal waiting homes and US$25,000 for prepaid water meters in Sanniquellie and Fonchonnin after donor withdrawal.

“We have to be a responsible government. When there are gaps, we step in to support our people,” she said, citing additional contributions to road connectivity and district-level priorities.

On transparency, she declared: “We don’t have an issue with audit. That’s why I laugh sometimes at the zigzag line of politics. People say the superintendent is doing well, then call for an audit in the same breath.”

County Governance and Development

Gono acknowledged delays in completing the nine-member County Council due to civil society’s failure to submit two nominees but maintained that with seven members forming a quorum, operations remain legal.

She detailed ongoing renovation of public facilities in Tappita and Sanniquellie, underscoring the need for functional infrastructure. On county assets, she revealed that many yellow machines procured in the past are now obsolete and costly to maintain, prompting a request to the PPCC for disposal and reinvestment in police vehicles.

The superintendent further pledged investments in agriculture, calling for the establishment of an “Agriculture Bank” and praising Minister Alexander Nuetah’s frequent presence in Nimba. She also commended President Boakai’s leadership in stabilizing prices and credited Vice President Jeremiah Koung as “a smart businessman deeply trusted by the President.”

Appeal for Peace and Unity

Reaffirming her stance against drugs, Gono praised civil society and security forces for joint campaigns while stressing the need to protect Nimba’s reputation as a business hub.

In her closing remarks, she appealed for peace and unity among Nimbaians:

“Let us not be distracted by political rivalries or caucus disputes. Every day I wake up working for this county, and tomorrow I will showcase the projects we are implementing.”

She pledged continued partnership with lawmakers, civil society, and citizens to ensure Nimba remains “an enviable county among counties.”