Bong County: US$4.9M Budget Release Conflict Deepens Over Disclosure

• Bong County's approved US$4.9 million 2026 budget remains publicly unavailable months after its passage by the County Council.
• County Finance Officer Silas Tokpa and County Administrative Officer D. Sam B. Elliot provided conflicting accounts regarding the budget's release and online publication.
• The approved budget is US$1 million higher than the initial proposal, including funds from Cavalla Resource, national government support, and ArcelorMittal.
• Concerns were raised during the budget review about over US$280,000 allocated to various administrative programs and the use of development funds for operational expenses.
• The county administration has not explained the lack of a publicly accessible platform or its standards for public disclosure, raising significant transparency concerns.

The challenges in accessing official public financial documents, as evidenced by this situation, could significantly impact due diligence for entities engaging with local government or advising on right-to-information matters in Liberia.

Bong County is currently embroiled in a significant financial transparency issue, centered around the delayed public release of its approved US$4.9 million budget for 2026. Months after the County Council formally passed this crucial financial document, it remains inaccessible on any public platform, sparking concerns about Bong County 2026 budget availability. This lack of disclosure has been further complicated by contradictory statements from key officials regarding the budget's status.

County Finance Officer Silas Tokpa asserted that the budget was made public on May 28, 2026, through the distribution of photocopied versions to a select group of individuals from his office. Tokpa also indicated that additional copies are still obtainable directly from his department, clarifying that journalists who previously visited did not receive them because they failed to specifically request the budget. Conversely, County Administrative Officer D. Sam B. Elliot presented a different timeline, stating that the document is still undergoing preparation for online publication, with an anticipated release by the end of August. This divergence in accounts from Silas Tokpa and D. Sam B. Elliot highlights the core of the Bong County US$4.9m budget release conflict.

The approved US$4.9 million budget represents a substantial increase over the initial US$3.94 million proposal put forth by the administration. During its review process, the County Council identified more than US$1 million in funds that had been omitted from the original submission. These newly accounted-for revenues included US$50,000 from Cavalla Resource, an additional US$50,000 in operational support from the national government, and a significant US$950,000 contribution from ArcelorMittal earmarked for the construction of a sports park.

The conflicting statements regarding the budget's release came to light during a joint broadcast on Tuesday, featuring Radio Gbarnga, Super Bongese, and Premium FM. Initially convened to address the prolonged absence of Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, the discussion quickly pivoted to the pressing issue of the budget's unavailability, driven by questions from journalists.

During the broadcast, Administrative Officer Elliot provided an explanation for Superintendent Norris's absence, stating she had traveled to Turkey for advanced medical treatment following advice from Liberian doctors. He confirmed that she was capable of walking and speaking prior to her departure on medical leave. However, the focus remained on the budget, with Elliot suggesting that members of the public and journalists interested in the document should have requested copies during the County Council's deliberations. This incident highlights significant challenges in Liberia Bong County budget transparency and the public's right to access critical financial information.

The divergent explanations offered by the two officials regarding the budget's online publication further complicate the situation. While Tokpa indicated his office would seek to hire personnel to build a website for information dissemination, Elliot maintained that the finance officer was actively preparing the budget for online display. Despite these assurances, the county administration has yet to provide a clear rationale for why the budget is not accessible through a publicly available platform.

Crucially, the administration has also failed to articulate what standard it applies in deeming the distribution of photocopies to a select few as adequate public disclosure. This lack of clarity raises fundamental questions about Bong County public financial management and the commitment to open governance. The challenges in accessing official public financial documents, as evidenced by this situation, could significantly impact due diligence for entities engaging with local government or advising on right-to-information matters in Liberia.

This incident highlights significant transparency and public financial management concerns within Bong County's administration. Lawyers and compliance officers should note the challenges in accessing official public financial documents, which could impact due diligence for entities engaging with local government or advising on right-to-information matters in Liberia.

Source: Original reporting via Liberian Investigator.