Foya, Lofa County — A citizen of Foya District in Lofa County, has raised concerns over the alleged abandonment and mismanagement of the Foya Resource Youth Center, a facility originally constructed to support youth development and skills training in the area.
Speaking during a visit to the site, Emmanuel Fallah, accompanied by a colleague Abdullah Faryah, said the youth center was built through legislative allotment by former Lofa County Senator George F. Tengber, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. According to Fallah, the facility was later turned over to Foya Youth United for Development, a local youth organization, to manage and operate.
However, Mr. Fallah described the current condition of the center as “deeply disappointing,” alleging that the facility had been abandoned for an extended period.
During a walk-through of the building, Fallah pointed out that the main conference hall was left unsecured and open, with no seating available and damaged furniture scattered throughout the room. He said the walls were dirty and the space showed no signs of recent use, despite its intended purpose as a venue for youth meetings, training, and capacity-building programs.
The tour also revealed an empty computer lab with no functional equipment. Fallah claimed that several years ago, an Australian organization donated more than 20 computers to support youth computer training programs in Foya. According to him, the computers were handed over to Foya Youth United for Development through the office of former Senator Tengber.
He alleged that the donated computers were mismanaged and that no meaningful computer training program was carried out, adding that no youth reportedly benefited from the initiative.
Additional rooms within the facility, including administrative offices and bathrooms, were described as unkempt, with damaged chairs, desks, cables, and other materials stored haphazardly. Fallah also claimed that some of the offices appeared to be unused or converted into makeshift living spaces.
Among the items observed during the inspection were old computer CPUs, damaged furniture, and an unused camera reportedly donated to support the operations of the youth center. Fallah said it was unclear whether the equipment was still functional.
He questioned the absence of leadership from Foya Youth United for Development and the lack of visible programs or activities at the center, noting that the condition of the facility suggested that it had been inactive for more than a year.
The allegations have not yet been independently verified, and representatives of Foya Youth United for Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and former Senator George F. Tengber were not immediately available for comment.
Residents are now calling on local authorities, youth stakeholders, and relevant government institutions to investigate the situation and ensure that the facility is either properly managed or restored to fulfill its intended role in youth empowerment and development in Foya District.
