SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba – The superintendent of Nimba, D. Dorr Cooper, has announced that he is preparing a formal communication to the Nimba County Legislative Caucus to convene a county council sitting, three years after the last one was held.

The meeting is an annual gathering of the county lawmakers and local government officials to determine allocation of the County Social Development Funds.

Superintendents are charged with the responsibility of scheduling the meetings, over which lawmakers preside.

The last meeting was held in Nimba in 2015. Internal disagreement among members of the caucus was a major cause of the delay. The county also reportedly did not have funds in its account to cover the cost of the meetings. The latest delay was due to unresolved legal disputes for some of the caucus’ members.

Because County Social Development funds allocated for a county initially goes directly into the general government account and has to be withdrawn through resolutions agreed upon at the sittings, Nimba’s Sen. Thomas Grupee said he fears that the delay in holding the meetings may have cost the county US$4 million, as those funds may have been used for other purposes.

Now that all members of the caucus are seated, Cooper is calling for the County Council Sitting.

“I have already done the draft [of the communication] to members of the caucus for a County Council Sitting,” Cooper said.

However, Cooper said he did not expect much work to be done even after the allotment that is expected to come from the meeting, especially when it comes to road maintenance, due to the arrival of the rainy season.

He expressed frustration that the county’s administration cannot function.

“One of the reason why we have not had this County Council Sitting, like I’ve been saying, is that there was no money in our account,” he said. “Right now, we have money in the account.”

He did not disclose the amount available in the account but promised to do during the meeting, which he said he hopes can take place in early May.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah