-To Boost Infrastructure, Health, and Education
By Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA – The Nimba Legislative Caucus and the county’s nine-man council have approved a $4.2 million development package aimed at revitalizing infrastructure, healthcare, and education across the region.
The decision was finalized during a day-long County Council Sitting on Thursday. The sitting was attended by key local opinion leaders and members of the Nimba Legislative Caucus, including Senator, Nya D. Twayen, Jr., Rep. Samuel Brown of District 1, Nyan G. Flomo of District 2, Nehker Gaye of District 3, and others as well as the county administration led by Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono.
Briefing the media immediately following the climax of the sitting, Nimba County Superintendent, Kou Meapeh Gono said in line with the budget law, the County Legislative Caucus maintains a high degree of oversight and approved the 4.2 million from the county’s coffer to initiate different infrastructure projects in the county. “So we need to invite them along with community stakeholders, commissioners, statutory superintendents, development officers at the district level and let them know how the projects are coming for Nimba,” she said.
According to her, it was important to invite local opinion leaders of the county to seek their support and to have them informed about the passage of the “County Fiscal Year 2025. “So it was just informing the passing of the Nimba budget year for 2025”.
The approved 4.2 million projects will see the upgrading of key infrastructures from postwar to prewar status across the county.
They include the renovation of the Presidential and Civil Compound in Buutuo Town, the Governor’s Mansion and Civil Compound including all government facilities in Tappita City, and the Saclepea City Guest House and Civil Compound. Others are the construction of Nimba Lodge — a property of the county in Montserrado to host the county’s sports team as well as other citizens while away in that part of the country, and a 50,000 allocation to Nimba University students in support of education.
To address maternal health challenges, Superintendent Gono disclosed 80, 000 allocation to support the Nimba County Health Team, specifically, maternal waiting room improvement, terming it the first time for the County Health Team to receive such a huge contribution from the county administration. “For the first time, the County Health Team is receiving a huge contribution from the county administration; about 80,000 going to maternal waiting rooms,” Supt. Gono noted.
Supt. Gono also revealed that as a responsible government, 25,000 worth is being allotted to improve the water system in the county’s capital, Sanniquellie City, and the improvement of police facilities in some parts of the county’s highly populated communities. “I cannot name all, but just to name a few; there are many other projects,” she asserted.
However, the Nimba Superintendent was not optimistic that all these listed projects would come to completion at the end of the year 2025. “By the end of this year or will be completed next year.” Supt. Gono highlights investment in agriculture, detailing that as a productive leader, she does not want to be a county that has one source of income; the mountains.
“We’re looking at agriculture, we’re looking at housing, ways to diversify our county’s income.”
In a bold step to complete the long-standing headquarters project of the Nimba County Community Radio Association, Supt. Gono commits support to see the building full-completion under the county 2025 budget year.
Responding to whether the county is going to do what other past leaders did like giving the funding to the project head or the county will take full responsibility, the superintendent quickly answered by saying “The county council will take over the completion of the building for the journalists.”
The Nimba Superintendent at the same time committed to corruption-free governance and development, promising a successful implementation of captured projects that best suit the allotted budget.
In a detailed address, Supt. Gono emphasized her leadership’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption, enhancing governance, and fostering all-round development, aligning the county with the Boakai-Koung’s vision of a developed Liberia.
Expressing gratitude to the County Legislative Caucus for concurring with the nine men county council members to approve the 2025 budget, Supt. Gono invoked the blessings of God and underscored the trust of her administration to ensure full-scale implementation of the 4.2 million dollar impactful projects cutting across the county.
