By Stephen N. Tokpah
-Bong (freelance)
Bong County Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris, has responded sharply to criticisms from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the county, which she claims are undermining her administration.
Superintendent Norris expressed frustration over what she described as the constant efforts by some CSO actors to bring down local leaders, including herself, rather than focusing on constructive engagements for the development of the County.
“In this Bong County, we have two types of histories. We’ve got history like going to the court and bringing some laws, and we also got history, especially when it comes to the CSOs, of bringing the superintendents down,” Madam Norris noted.
She suggested that some CSOs have developed a reputation for targeting superintendents in the county, which has hindered leadership stability and progress.
The superintendent emphasized that while she acknowledges human error, the role of CSOs should not be to attack or undermine local leadership but to engage in meaningful dialogues and development.
“While we are human, we can err, but we also need to have some of these things fixed instead of just running as CSOs, running, running, running to break it down.”
Norris accused certain CSO actors of boasting about their ability to remove superintendents, a trend she vehemently opposed.
She called on Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L), a key civil society organization in Bong County, to take a leading role in fostering constructive engagements with local leaders.
“As much as you said you will say the truth, it’s not to disrespect or bring people down,” she said, addressing DEN-L directly.
The superintendent also criticized some CSO leaders for what she sees as hypocrisy, accusing them of failing to lead by example.
“If you say, I did not put my budget up. But you who are saying my budget is not up, your budget is not up. How do I follow it?” she asked, challenging critics to be transparent with their own processes before pointing fingers at her administration.
Madam Norris, who has been in office for less than six months, expressed her frustration at the constant scrutiny and pressure from some sectors of civil society. “For heaven’s sake! I’m calling on you, DEN-L, because you are a big trainer. Please, look into these Civil Society Organizations and NGOs… Let them have mercy on Bong County. Let Bong County breathe a little!”
She urged all stakeholders to prioritize the development of Bong County and work together rather than tearing each other down. Comparing Bong County’s development progress to that of neighboring Nimba County, Norris said, “I don’t envy Nimba, but I envy them constructively,” calling on CSOs to partner with her administration in moving Bong County forward.
The superintendent also made it clear that she is not seeking any elected position and is focused solely on the development of the county. “I did not come here to go running after an elected position. I’m comfortably seated. My last child is a medical doctor… I came so that we can be able to carry Bong County a little further. Please join me. And don’t bring me down or don’t bring the County down,” she concluded.
Madam Norris’ remarks come at a time when her administration has been under increasing pressure from civil society groups, who have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in her leadership.
Madam Norris made the statement while serving as a special guest at the Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L) Formal Leadership Turnover Program in Gbarnga on October 18, 2024.
In response, Jesse B. Cole, Executive Director of the DELTA Human Rights Foundation debunked Superintendent Norris’, describing her utterance as an “unfounded statement against CSOs and contradictory.”
Cole said if Superintendent Norris will continue to use the County funds without following the law, they, as CSOs, will continue to checkmate her.
He emphasized that Superintendent Norris and the County Council leadership are guarded by law, especially the Local Government Act and other financial laws.
“So, if they are not following the laws, we as CSO actors should not talk about it. If that is what Superintendent Norris term as bringing her administration down then, we will continue to advocate and push her administration to do the right thing in the confines of the law of Liberia,” he said. “Superintendent Norris said CSOs in Bong County have not declared their developmental budget and staff’s salaries clear to the public, but we as CSOs are criticizing her administration, but I want Superintendent Norris to know that we as CSOs are paying taxes to the government.”
The DELTA Human Rights Foundation Executive Director further referred Superintendent Norris to the Ministry of Labour local office in the County regarding their payroll system.
The CSO Actor vowed that they will continue to advocate and critique leaders if they do not do the right thing for the overall development of Bong County and Liberia at large.
