Several superintendents appearing before the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs and Rural Development for confirmation hearings, have called for increment in the County Development Fund (CDF) from US$200,000 to US$1 million.
The Superintendent-designate, who faced the Committee for their confirmation hearing on Monday, April 8, 2024 include Whioway Bryant, Montserrado, Alex Chersia Grant, Grand Gedeh, Henry Cole, Maryland, former Representative Byron W. Zahnwea, River Cess, and Antoinette W. Nimely, Grand Kru respectively.
Others are Miatta Dorley, Bomi, Kou Meapeh Gono, Nimba, Loleyah Hawa Norris, Bong, Mike T. Swengbe, River Gee, J. Lavelah Massaquoi, Lofa and Sam Zinnah of Gbarpolu.
The Senate Committee on Internal Affairs and Rural Development is chaired by Nimba County Senator, Prince Y. Johnson and co-chaired by Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe.
The nominees described the yearly allocation of US$200,000 for the development of every county as a ‘drop in the ocean’. They stressed that the development drive of a whole county cannot be actualized with such a little amount.
According to them, if their recommendation for increment of the CDF is given urgent consideration in the national budget, it will accelerate the growth, development and effective operations of the counties and further implement the President’s ARREST Agenda.
The presidential nominees emphasized the enormous challenges each county encounters, which are yet to be resolved to a larger extent due to low budgetary allocation.
They named adherence to the rule of law by the citizens, supervision of ongoing and implemented national projects, keeping and strengthening the peace and stability of the country and uniting the people through various means, including dialogues, among others.
The nominees have thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for their individual nomination to the post of County Superintendents.