By Grace Q. Bryant
The Montserrado County Legislative Caucus has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Liberian government, demanding the immediate disbursement of some US$500,000 intended for Social Development Funds (SDF) or risk unspecified actions.
The Caucus claimed that, contrary to President Joseph Boakai’s recent State of the Nation Address, Montserrado County has yet to receive its rightful portion of the SDF for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
According to them, President Boakai had assured the nation that all counties had received their allocations, but Montserrado lawmakers insist this is inaccurate.
In a strongly worded statement, Montserrado District 17 Representative Bernard Benson, speaking on behalf of the Caucus, urged the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to clarify the status of the county’s funds.
He alleged that an initial allotment of US$500,000 reportedly provided by Firestone Liberia was redirected without explanation.
He expressed frustration over the situation, stating that citizens in Montserrado are now wrongly blaming their elected representatives for failing to utilize funds that were never disbursed.
“What is more disheartening about the pronouncement by President Boakai is that our constituents are now holding us accountable for funds we have yet to receive. We cannot sit and allow people to mislead our people regarding the disbursement of the Social Development Funds,” he disclosed.
He emphasized that if the government fail to act within the given deadline, the Montserrado Caucus has vowed to take the following measures including summoning all concessionaires obligated to contribute to the Social Development Fund for the 2023/2024 period and hold a public hearing to investigate potential mismanagement or misallocation of the funds.
“Request the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full audit of SDF payments made by concessionaires to the government; mobilize the public to petition the government for the overdue funds and request a comprehensive financial statement from the bank detailing all SDF-related transactions for 2023 and 2024,”he said.
He further accused government officials of financial mismanagement and misplaced priorities, alleging that funds have been selectively disbursed to other counties while Montserrado remains neglected.
“The fact that some counties have received their Social Development Funds, leaving Montserrado County out, proves that corruption is imminent. This must stop immediately,” the lawmaker asserted.
He warned that the situation threatens the success of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, a national initiative aimed at reducing poverty and fostering economic opportunities.
Reaffirming their commitment to fighting for the people of Montserrado, Rep. Benson made it clear that they will not tolerate any further delays in the disbursement of the SDF.
They have given a 72-hour deadline for the responsible entities to act, warning that failure to comply will trigger immediate implementation of their planned actions.
