Published: July 11, 2025
Gbarnga, Bong County — The Bong County Council is set to convene its third quarter sitting on Monday, July 14, 2025, despite failing to hold its constitutionally mandated meetings for the first and second quarters of the year.
Council Chairperson Aaron Sackie-Fenlah confirmed the scheduled sitting in an interview Thursday with The Liberian Investigator, stating that the meeting will bring together council members, county officials, and residents to deliberate on pressing local development issues, including infrastructure, budget allocations, and pending projects.
“The pending sitting is crucial to the development of Bong County,” Sackie-Fenlah said. “This is one reason we are pushing back against proposed amendments to key provisions in the Local Government Act that could enable lawmakers to misuse county resources.”
Under Section 2.8(a) of the Local Government Act of 2018, county councils are required to meet at least once per quarter. The Act also allows for emergency or special sessions to be called by the superintendent, the chair of the council, or by a resolution signed by at least three members.
Despite the upcoming meeting being referred to as the third quarter sitting, no formal sittings were held in the first and second quarters of 2025. A special session did take place in April following a request from Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris.
Sackie-Fenlah said Monday’s meeting will focus on decisions that directly impact communities across the county, including those led by community-based organizations. He urged the public—especially youth and women’s groups, civil society actors, marketers, motorcyclists, and members of the religious community—to attend and actively participate.
“Community members should attend so they can identify projects that will benefit their respective areas,” he said.
The council has come under public criticism in recent months for its failure to meet regularly and for allegedly operating in alignment with the county administration, undermining its independence. Sackie-Fenlah has also faced allegations of endorsing projects favored by Senator Prince Moye—claims The Liberian Investigator has not independently verified.
Defending the delays, Sackie-Fenlah blamed the county administration for not submitting timely performance reports to the council, which he said are essential for accountability and planning.
“It’s not our fault but the county administration,” he said. “They delayed in submitting the necessary reports for the council’s scrutiny.”
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