SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba – Delegates and observers to the long overdue Nimba County Council Sitting have begun arriving in the county’s capital, Sanniquellie, as the meeting is expected to run from August 31 to September 2.

The sitting will be the first ever under the leadership of Superintendent Dorr Cooper. The last Nimba County Council Sitting was held in 2015, during the leadership of former Sup. Fong Zuagele.

County Inspector Reginald Mehn served the official citation for attendees to the sitting on August 27, 2018.

County council sittings are the highest decision-making bodies of each county. Citizens from all parts of a county are expected to converge annually to decide on appropriations of the County and Social Development Funds for the budget year.

In past years, friction between former superintendent Zuagele and the Nimba County Legislative Caucus’ chair, Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, over the submission of reports of previous expenses have led to delays in holding the meeting.

According to the citation issued by Mehn’s office, 111 delegates are expected to attend, including paramount chiefs, chairpersons of the six city councils, representatives of the traditional council of Nimba, lawmakers, representatives from the youth and student populations, women’s group leaders, and representatives of the disabled community.

The internal affairs and the finance ministers are both also expected to attend as observers. Other observers are administrative district commissioners, statutory superintendents, eminent citizens of Nimba who are serving in prominent positions, the religious community, and the media.

The sitting had been postponed twice this year, and the arrival of delegates and observers in Sanniquellie is an indication that the meeting will go as planned. The delay in holding the sitting this year was first attributed to the lack of funding and most recently, a search to fill the vacancy of the assistant superintendent for the development position.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah