Margibi County, Liberia – The management of the Bukonjadeh Group of Companies, a Liberian-owned microfinance business, has accused former Margibi District #1 Representative, Hon. Tibelrasa Summoh Tarponweh, Sr., of failing to repay a $5,000 USD loan taken in 2024.
According to a statement from the company, the first portion of the loan, US$1,500, was credited on July 4, 2024, with an agreed interest rate of 25%, bringing the total due on that portion to US$1,875. A second loan of US$2,500 was reportedly credited on July 19, 2024, also with 25% interest, totaling $3,125 USD.
The combined debt, including interest, amounts to $5,000 USD, with repayment originally scheduled for August 12, 2024.
The company claims that since the due date, the former lawmaker has failed to honor the agreement or respond to numerous follow-up attempts. “For nearly a year now, we’ve been trying to contact him with no success,” a Bukonjadeh spokesperson told Verity News.
Responding to the allegation, former Representative Tarponweh, who now serves as a board member of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), acknowledged receiving the loan.
However, he claimed that he has not ignored his financial obligation.
In a WhatsApp interview with Verity News, Emmanuel Tokpah, who served as Chief of Office during Tarponweh’s term as a Representative, confirmed of borrowing the amount mentioned but said that US$2,000 of the total has already been repaid.
“Despite we still having liability for Bukonjadeh, efforts are being made to conclude the entire payment before August 15, 2025,” Tokpah said.
The matter has raised concerns about financial responsibility and accountability by public officials even after they leave office.
