Monrovia, Saturday, April 10, 2021 - The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) with support from the Government and people of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has successfully concluded the first two (2) in a series of seven (7) Open Expenditure Forums expected to be held across seven (7) counties in Liberia.

The Open Expenditure Forums, separately held in Gbarnga, Bong County, and Sanniquellie, Nimba County were intended to increase citizens’ knowledge and understanding of public spending and make them aware of the importance of openness on societal growth and expansion as well as enhance accountability of public officials to their people.

The forums are being held under the auspices of CENTAL’s National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) program which targets seven (7) counties: Bong, Nimba, Bassa, Rivercess, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Montserrado.   

At the initial two forums in Bong and Nimba Counties on April 6 and 7 respectively, citizens, including women, youth, students, people with disabilities, community members and leaders enthusiastically engaged and interacted with their local leaders, mainly Superintendents and Project Management Committees Chairpersons.    

In Gbarnga, Bong County, the Protocol Officer in the Office of Superintendent Esther Walker spoke on her behalf. Mr. Daniel Dunoe welcomed the CENTAL team and pledged the County Authority’s willingness to working with CENTAL to promote openness in the county’s operations and expenditures.

The Chairman of the Bong County Project Management Committee (PMC), Stephen J. Mulbah, used the opportunity to provide detailed information regarding the County Social Development Fund and different projects being undertaken in the county. He said all of the corruptions and financial malpractices in the county are based on mere speculations and hearsays, as most of those who spread the false information have made no attempt to seek the right pieces of information due to political and other differences. He promised to immediately tender his resignation as Bong County PMC Chairman if anyone in the gathering proves that they were ever denied information on any activities/projects being undertaken in the county.

In Sanniquellie, Nimba County, the Assistant Superintendent for Development, Railey G. Myers, the PMC Chairman, Harris Y. Yeanamie and Sanniquellie City Mayor, Miama M. Kamara and other officials were in attendance. The Assistant Superintendent for Development welcomed the CENTAL team and noted that the county authorities have always been opened in steering the affairs of the county and expressed willingness to working CENTAL and other organizations working to promote transparency and accountability in the County and the Country at large. Delivering his presentation, the Chairman of the Project Management Committee, Harris Y. Yeanamie, informed citizens about those who are signatories to the county’s account and provided a detailed description of procurement processes followed for payments.

He used the time to provide detailed information to the people about different projects being implemented, completed, and those yet to get started across the county. Chairman Yeanamie also expressed profound appreciation to CENTAL for convening the Open Expenditure Forum in the county, as it will help to clear most of the doubts and speculations amongst the people about management and implementation of project in the county. The Nimba County PMC Chairman presented on the topic: ‘Nimba County Development and Social Funds.’

The Open Expenditure Forum is built on existing efforts of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) in collaboration with stakeholders at all county levels including but not limited to, superintendents, representatives, senators, civil society organizations, women, youths, students and other marginalized groups, street vendors, among others.

The people were excited to have had such an opportunity to access and engage with their local leaders in a face-to-face engagement to get instant feedback to their concerns and clarity to their doubts. CENTAL’s Gender Officer, Akiah Precious Glay gave the overview of the Open Expenditure Forums while Atty. Gerald D. Yeakula, Program Manager of CENTAL presented on the topic: ‘Budget Transparency and County Development.’ 

With support from the Government and people of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), CENTAL’s NIBA program is rolling out Open Expenditure Forums across seven (7) counties - Bong, Nimba, Bassa, Rivercess, Bomi, Gnarpolu and Montserrado.

It seeks to enhance dialogue and partnerships between citizens and their leaders and well improve relationships between county officials and citizens for smooth project implementation. The NIBA program is a three-year program that seeks to among other things, provide citizens access to relevant pieces of information to demand for and take action against corruption in Liberia.