The Bong County Health Services Administrator Sam T G Siakor has disclosed that the County Health Team has commenced disbursing funds to contractors for the continuation of construction works on several health facilities funded under the 2024 National Budget.
The 2024 National Budget allotted $20,000 each for Gbondio, Baryata, and Jorwah Clinics, while Kpayah Clinic was allocated $45,000 to finalize its construction, focusing on furniture and preparation for its official opening. However, only $5,000 per facility has been released so far following the budget outturn.
Speaking on Super Bongese Radio recently, Siakor confirmed that the Ministry of Finance of Liberia had disbursed $5,000 each into the accounts of these facilities at the Central Bank.
He explained that upon assuming leadership of the County Health Team, the new administration encountered challenges due to the absence of proper documentation from their predecessors regarding contractual agreements with vendors.
As a result, they adopted a cautious approach in disbursing funds and conducted thorough assessments of the facilities. The assessments, led by the County Health Team’s infrastructure director, Siakor said, identified key areas of need for each clinic.
At Baryata Clinic, the funds will be used to install windows, tile the delivery room, provide water access, construct a bathroom, and complete the incinerator.
For Gbondio Clinic, doors, windows, a placenta pit, an ice pit, an incinerator, and tiles in the delivery room will be handled in the 5,000.
At Jorwah Clinic, ongoing work includes roofing a maternal waiting home, with materials recently delivered to the site, repainting of the health facility, changing of dilapidated ceilings and some doors.
The maternal waiting home project, which began in 2017 through community efforts and community bonuses from the County Health Team, is being executed by Success Construction & Engineering Company, Inc.
The Kpayah Clinic, nearing completion, remains on hold as the County Health Team awaits documents from the previous administration to ensure transparency in fund utilization.
According to Mr. Siakor, on Thursday, January 23, efforts were made to contact Bong County District #3 lawmaker, Hon J Marvin Cole to discuss and coordinate on matters related to the Kpayah Clinic project, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Mr. Siakor explained that Hon. Cole would be reached at a later time, as he was instrumental in advocating for the facility’s inclusion in the budget. He further stated that the County Health Team has yet to identify the contractor responsible for the Kpayah Clinic. Therefore, no disbursement of funds can be made without reaching out to the sitting lawmaker under whose oversight the facility is being constructed.
He confirmed that Mr. Ansu Sesay, a contractor for the Gbondio and Baryata Clinics, has been invited to collect his checks for the continuation of work. Courtesy By: Edwin D. Khakie
