As part of our ways of providing information to Nimba County and the people of Liberia on progress being made, challenges faced and making necessary recommendations, the Project Management Committee held a countywide press briefing today, Thursday, June 6, 2013 on the usage and management of the Nimba County Social and County Development Funds (CDF &SDF). Media institutions represented at the press briefing include: a. Radio Nimba b. Radio Kergheamahn (RKFM 95.4MHz) c. Radio Saclepea d. Karn Voice of Peace e. Radio Saclepea, and f. Voice of Tappita (VOT) The following were the basic talking points for this all important briefing. I. Status of biding exercise for affected communities projects a. 1st set of projects bidding almost over because 1. Bid were received and opened 2. Bid evaluation panel has done its work and submitted report to the procurement committee 3. Procurement committee will meet this week and take the final decisions and officially announce winners II. Second batch of projects that are being designed will soon be out under the IFB (Invitation to Bid) 1. These will include additional projects in • Yarmein. • Sanniquellie-Mah • Bain-Garr, • Lee-Wehyeepea, • Meinpea-Mah, among others. III. General projects within the county that came out of the recent county council sitting are on course. a. District councils are being held to decide on actual projects within the electoral districts based on allocations b. We have made submissions to the GOL awaiting transfer of the funds into the county’s account c. Categories of funds expected from GOL include • 1.5 Million from ArcelorMittal for 2012/2013 • Balance $700,000.00 from ArcelorMittal for 2011/2012 • $200,000.00 from GOL on County Development Fund for FY:2012/2013 • About $133,333.33 or 200,000.00 from BHP-Billiton - We need to follow up with BHP on actual payment to GOL for 2012/2013 IV. Expected projects for current period Nimba County should expect robust community development interventions this time around a. Yarmein (5) • Bololewee • Lugbeyee • Gbonnie • Kinon • Gbarpa b. Sanniquellie-Mah (7) • Zolowee • Sanniquellie City Airfield Zone II • Sanniquellie re-lighting • Sehyikimpa • Zolowee • Gboa Gbalasonoh • Gehwee c. Bain-Garr (2) • Zuluyee • Ganta d. Meinpea-Mah (2) • Bunadin • Duo e. Lee-Wehyeepea (2) • Gbahn • Kpoapa f. Lower Nimba: 1 project Total for Affected Areas = 19 projects General County Projects under 2012/2013 • Coming up soon: not less than 20 Projects (this does not include projects for affected areas for 2012/2013 FY) • V. Yellow Machines Operation a. Machine operation implemented by UNOPS started (actual field operation) mid June 2012 in all three regions: Upper, Central and Lower Nimba respectively. b. Road works done so far in all of the areas is 141.4KM with 18.5KM not graded. c. Implementation problems or challenge: In the view of the PIU/PMC/County, UNOPS has reneged or failed to a large extent, to fulfill most of the tasks under the LOA. e.g: 1. Procuring machines without any consideration for essential service parts (tyres); 2. Mechanical tools; 3. work program/plan that specifies, for example: • length of road targeted to be done to gauge against actual at end of one year contract; • Number of persons targeted to be trained and in what specific areas and how long, etc. d. Current situation: 1. UNOPS suspended operation at the end of March with condition for additional funding to continue work; 2. We transferred $250,000.00, but refused to continue work insinuating that what was transferred was only enough to take care of their liabilities which is a frustration for the county. We raised concerns and had a leadership meeting with UNOPS on May 13, 2013 involving county administration, caucus and UNOPS and outcomes were: 1. To set up a joint technical team to assess the yellow machines operation and road works in the county and report back for discussion and decision making; 2. Team looked at current condition of machines, days lost calculated in value for money; 3. The technical team worked and presented a preliminary report to the county leadership on June 1, 2013, when UNOPS declined attendance at last minute; 4. Inputs were made to the report and the team is finalizing its report for presentation when UNOPS confirms its attendance soon (between June 10 and 15); 5. Howbeit, most of the machines are in good working condition except for some that are grounded for lack of tyres and a few for mechanical parts which is a negligence on part of UNOPS; 6. As soon as these issues are resolved, the machines will resume work as soon as possible. Meanwhile, some of the machines have been mobilized to respond to emergency situations as they arise. E.g: • Karnplay road is about to be touched to make it pliable and passable during the rain.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:07:46 +0000
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