Bong County Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris has presented a proposed Draft Budget for FY 2024 to the County Council for approval, totaling US$1,446,400. The budget includes allocations for various development projects in the county, such as Electoral Districts Projects, renovation works, administrative improvements, sporting activities, healthcare facilities, youth programs, and other community initiatives.
In detailing the budget, Superintendent Norris also outlined specific allocations, including funds for the renovation of buildings, infrastructure development, equipment procurement, training programs, and healthcare services.
The allotment of US$470,000 was made for various projects in the seven electoral districts, US$30,000 for the purchasing of furniture for the superintendent’s compound, and US$300,000 for the continuation of renovation works on the administrative complex of the county.
She said the US$300,000 for the renovation works will include the demolition of the old Circuit Court that was deroofed by heavy storms some years ago.
The superintendent said they intend to build a residential area for guests in place of the demolished building. The palava hut will also be renovated.
Norris revealed that within the same US$300,000, the road leading to the office of People Living with Disabilities will be opened because the first road left in the fence around the Superintendent’s compound. The fencing work for the administrative complex has US$40,000.
The superintendent said this will be used to lay out the entire compound of the administration building and also build a security booth, initiatives that were not initially captured in the budget for the fencing project.
The Bong County Sports (Steering Committee) – US$100,000; Four (4) Vehicles (Superintendent, County Administrative Officer, County Finance Officer, and County Development Office); US$100,000.
The Liberia Opportunity Industrialization Center (LOIC) was allotted in the draft budget US$10,000 for training of Youth; Community Radio Stations – US$10,000; Machine, Fuel, and Maintenance – US$75,000. According to the superintendent, this US$75,000 includes the Yellow machine that will rehabilitate roads in the city.
The Bong County Technical College also received an allotment in the draft budget for Fiscal Year 2024 25% – US$40,000; CB Dunbar Hospital (Community Pharmacy) – US$20,000; Bong Mines Hospital (Drugs for the Hospital) – US$20,000; Phebe Hospital (Drugs for the Hospital) – US$20,000; Arrears or Liabilities (services) – US$100,000; County Council Sitting – US$10,000; County Health Team (Maternity Ward) – US$10,000; Youth Group (Bong County Youth Center) – US$500; while Bong Student Union received the allotment of US$1,000; YMCA (Youth Program) – US$1,000; Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) – US$1,000; Bong Talent Hunt – US$500; and the PWDs (People with Disabilities) – US$7,000.
Additionally, the Bong County development draft budget allocated to the Security Council Sitting – US$1,500; Gbarnga Prison Compound (Feeding/Cleaning Materials) – US$2,000; Bong County Police – US$2,000; and Administrative Cost – US$74,900.
Receiving the draft budget for the FY-2024, County Council chairman, Aaron Sackie Fenlah, lauded Superintendent Norris for the submission of the budget for the overall development of the county.
Following a two-day public hearing on the draft budget, the County Council pledged to thoroughly review and evaluate the allocations before final approval.
The draft budget aligns with the Local Government Act of 2018, which aims to decentralize governance and promote local development. County Council Chairman Aaron Sackie Fenlah commended Superintendent Norris for the budget submission, emphasizing the importance of the proposed allocations for the county’s progress.
