By: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY — As the saga surrounding fraud and Internal wrangling deepens in the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba County Chapter, a divided opinion has ensued among CSO Council members in the county.
Two officials of the Civil Society Council of the county, Steve Nyemeiway Quoi and Melikah Y.S. Menworleh resigned from their respective posts due to the ongoing conflict in the civil sector. Meilakeh Y.S. Menworleh, the Chief Executive of the Rural Women and Girls Promotors for Sustainable Development resigned from her position as Acting Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba County Chapter.
As Steve Nyemeiway Quoin, the head of a civil society group, Center for Reform and Development penned down his resignation letter as Secretary General of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba County Chapter. Both the outgoing Acting Chairperson and Secretary General of NCSCL-Nimba Chapter resignation letter dated August 28, 2024, notified the Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai.
In her resignation letter, Melikah Menworleh is quoted as saying “I hope this letter finds you well. It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility that I am writing to formally resign from my position as Acting Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba Chapter, and as member of the Nimba County Council with immediate effect”.
She said “Recent developments, including a court ruling, have brought to light issues concerning the legitimacy of my current role. This legal determination has underscored the need for my resignation to avoid any potential stalling of development efforts in our county and to ensure the smooth operation of the County Council. I firmly believe that stepping down is in the best interest of our community, as it will facilitate the continued progress and effective functioning of our council”.
“I can record in 2023, the Nimba Chapter Chairperson, Mr. John Alexander Nyahn, Jr. was elected as the National Co-chairperson, giving rise to my transition from Co-chairperson position to the Acting Chairperson of Nimba Chapter, however, there has been no official turnover of power from the former Chairperson, and I have served in dual capacities” outgoing Acting Chairperson stated. She further noted “My primary goal has always been to serve the people of Nimba County and to promote peace and development in our region. To this end, I recognize that my continued tenure in this position may hinder the advancement of crucial initiatives and create unnecessary complications. Therefore, I am choosing to step aside to allow for a more seamless transition and to actively support the upcoming elections scheduled for October 2024”.
“I am committed to actively participate in the electoral process and support a fair and democratic election. It is my sincere hope that this decision will contribute to a more unified and productive environment for the betterment of our county and its residents. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve as Acting Chairperson and for the trust extended to me during my tenure. Please feel free to contact me should you require any further information or assistance during this transition period”.”Thanks for your understanding and cooperation” Melikah Y.S. Menworleh tendered in her resignation as Acting Chairperson, National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba County Chapter.
The Executive Director of the Rural Women and Girls Promotors for Sustainable Development noted that her action is important to save her good name as the result of the ongoing leadership muscles at the level of the CSO council and to avoid any potential stalling of development efforts in the county and to ensure the smooth operation of the Nimba County Council. Mrs. Menworleh then regretted her decision to resign but stressed that it was for the sake of peace and unity due to the political nature of the council was currently engulfed.
This brings to two the number of resignations that have hit the Nimba Chapter of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia as the council’s Secretary General, Steve Nyemeiway Quoi steps down. SG Quoi officially resigned from his post following the CSO general assembly, clarifying that he only relinquished his position but remains a full member and taxpayer of the council. According to him, the NCSCL-Nimba chapter is becoming ungovernable, life-threatening, and toxic and his resignation is the only best remedy to save his good image.
He claimed that CSOs in Nimba have become political and the civil society actors themselves are challenging the credibility of the civil space. The outgoing SG and Executive Director of the Center for Reform and Development (CRD) tendered his resignation as quoted herein. “Dear Madam Kai, I regret to have informed you of my resignation from the position as Secretary General of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, NimbaChapter. My resignation takes immediate effect as of Friday, August 30, 2024”.
He notes. “Madam Chairperson, my resignation comes following a thorough and careful reflection, coupled with a series of consultations with my Board of Advisors, and this decision is deemed necessary and in the best interest of the council”. Madam Chairperson and colleagues of the sector, let me inform you that this was not an easy decision to make. I have a make this move because I think it is in the interest of the council and myself as an individual. Working with my colleagues has been an incredible experience and I must admit that I have had some professional and personal growth spanning from my role as an interim secretary-general to an elected secretary-general, more than two years in leadership”.
The letter reads, “I remain for the prospects, mentorship, and trials I went through over the years – they have helped me greatly and propelled me for future challenges. As I clear my desk as Secretary General of the Council, Nimba Chapter, I want to inform the council that I am prepared to turn over every document belonging to the council within one week. I would be glad to return in any capacity shortly. Thank you for your understanding, support, and the unforgettable experiences we have shared. I wish the National Civil Society Council of Liberia continued accomplishment, and I am confident that the team will flourish and reach new heights. Let peace reign and long live our beloved civil space. Warm regards” Steve Nyemeiway Quoi, outgoing Secretary General of the NCSCL-Nimba Chapter resignation letter stated.
It can be recalled that in 2022 the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie nullified the outcome of the Nimba County Council Society election result following a legal battle. The ruling of the court led to the controversial leadership of the embattled Chairperson, J. Alexander Nyahn, Jr, and Co-chairperson Melikah Y.S. Menworleh taking an appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia. Since the two leaders took appeal to the highest court there has been no redress and verdict from the court, but they both have been working as leaders of the council, which recently placed them as representations of the CSOs at the nine-men county council of Nimba.
Meanwhile, a meeting organized in Sanniquellie (August 27), attended by Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono including other local county officials aimed to mitigate the situation did not materialize its objective as the result of misunderstanding among CSO members. Notably, the division among members of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Nimba County Chapter appears to have deepened after its Wednesday, August 28 General Assembly ended unsuccessfully.
The assembly which brought together about 50 different civil society organizations was intended to decide the fate of the CSO’s representations at the ‘Nine-Men County Council’ which will be responsible by law to decide the Nimba development agenda among other things per law.
The County Council is a requirement of Chapter 2.2 of the Local Government Act of 2018 (LGA).
The County Council is mandated by LGA to promulgate County ordinances, rules, and regulations for the promotion of peace, unity, reconciliation, maintenance of public order, and security, and the delivery of basic public goods and services consistent with law. One of the key responsibilities of the County Council will be to impose local taxes, rates, duties, fees, and fines within limits prescribed by the Legislature.
Additionally, Chapter 2.2(g) empowers the County Council to authorize the issuance of certain certificates and operating permits designated by the Legislature. According to the Local Government Law, the nine-member County Council will have the power to approve annual county budgets, as well as approve the County development plan and its implementation.
Among other responsibilities, the County Council shall recommend to the President through the Minister of Internal Affairs, the establishment of agencies deemed necessary for the common good for the good governance of the county. The LGA mandates the County Council to ensure broad-based citizens’ participation in decisions on significant issues of the County such as the annual county budget and the county development plans.
Chapter 2.3 of the LGA sets the composition of the County Council as follows: one representative for the Women’s Association; two representatives from the county youth organization( a male and a female); one representative from the county Organization of people living with disabilities; two representatives from the County organization of the Civil Society associations( a male and a female); two chiefs from the Council of Chiefs of the County and an elder. The vision of the Local Government Act of 2018 is to ensure all citizens, regardless of gender or physical impairment will take part in the governance of their communities and counties
