Gbarnga, Bong County — Bong County District One Representative Prince Koinah has raised serious concerns over the leadership of County Superintendent Hawa Norris, accusing the county administration of failing to account for development funds reportedly allocated to projects in his district.
Speaking during a public engagement, Rep. Koinah said residents of Electoral District One have repeatedly complained about the lack of visible development projects despite significant budgetary allocations. He noted that after assuming office, he conducted an independent review of county development activities, including an examination of the Auditor General’s report.
According to the lawmaker, more than US$200,000 was reportedly spent on projects across District One, but there is little to show on the ground. He cited specific allocations, including approximately US$40,000 for the Melian Town, over US$20,000 for the Behwee Elementary School, US$20,000 each for projects in Ula and Myanga, and additional funds for a project at the Commissioner Compound in Kokoyah.
“We cannot see anything visible to point out that these projects were completed,” Rep. Koinah said. “The money was reportedly spent, but the people are not seeing the results.”
He added that local media in Kokoya and other stakeholders had earlier proposed to Superintendent Norris that the unfinished projects be completed, emphasizing that they are essential to the wellbeing of the people. However, he lamented that another fiscal year has passed without any progress.
“There was money disbursed for those projects, and up to now, we have not seen anything,” he said. “Madam Superintendent, our own mother, we are not happy with this.”
Rep. Koinah called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of county development funds, stressing that projects intended for the people must be completed and made visible to improve living conditions in the district.
Meanwhile, the District One representative has also linked the lack of development to an ongoing dispute over scrap metal, provided by ArcelorMittal Liberia in parts of the district, including Boisein, and other areas. He disclosed that he has advised communities not to cooperate with county authorities on scrap metal business until the county demonstrates tangible development efforts in the district.
“We will not cooperate with the county on the issue of scrap until they act appropriately and recognize this area as part of the county through development,” Koinah stated. “You cannot have a county development fund and cannot point to a single project that has been started and completed.”
He further emphasized that no agreement would be reached on scrap metal activities until the county completes the stalled projects, adding that his position remains firm regardless of the presence of other national leaders.
As of the time of this report, Superintendent Harris Norris has not publicly responded to the allegations.
