By Patrick N. Mensah, Maryland County
Harper, Maryland County, Aug. 4, 2026 – Maryland County District #1 Representative P. Mike Jurry has expressed serious concern over what he describes as the limited impact of the County Development Fund (CDF), despite years of budgetary allocations intended to support decentralization and local development.
Rep. Jurry said many citizens in Maryland County have yet to feel the real benefits of the government’s decentralization drive, noting that development resources must translate into visible projects that improve the lives of ordinary people.
The lawmaker made the comments over the weekend during an engagement with Maryland County Superintendent Nathaniel S. Toe Jr. and other county officials at the Maryland County Administrative Building in Harper.
“Citizens are not realizing the importance and benefits of the government’s decentralization agenda,” Rep. Jurry stated.
He called for increased transparency and accountability in the handling of development resources, urging county authorities to ensure that CDF allocations are directed toward projects that respond to the urgent needs of local communities.
According to him, projects financed through the County Development Fund should produce measurable results, including improved roads, better access to services, and stronger public infrastructure across the county.
Rep. Jurry also emphasized the need for citizens to be properly informed about how development funds are allocated, how projects are selected, and how implementation is monitored.
He questioned the process used to identify development priorities, implement projects, and communicate results to the public, arguing that many residents remain uncertain about what the fund has achieved in their communities.
The County Development Fund was established to support community-driven development by allowing local authorities and citizens to identify priority needs and finance public infrastructure, social services, and other local initiatives across Liberia’s counties.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jurry raised concerns over the management structure of Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) and Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP), alleging that the two concession operations are being administered as though they were a single entity.
He said such an arrangement could limit employment opportunities for qualified Liberians by allowing positions that should exist separately in each company to be combined under one management structure.
The District #1 lawmaker specifically questioned reports that both concessions operate under a single human resources management system, describing the practice as unfair and calling for a formal review.
According to Rep. Jurry, the concession agreements establishing CRC and MOPP are separate legal instruments and should be implemented independently in line with their respective laws and contractual obligations.
He also questioned the reported role of SIFCA, claiming that the company is not recognized under the legislative agreements governing either CRC or MOPP.
Rep. Jurry called on relevant authorities to review the matter and, where necessary, take corrective action through the appropriate legal and administrative channels.
He urged the Ministry of Labour and other government institutions responsible for monitoring concession agreements to investigate the concerns and ensure full compliance with Liberia’s labor laws and concession obligations.
The lawmaker maintained that concession companies operating in Maryland County must prioritize qualified Liberians for employment while contributing meaningfully to job creation, economic growth, and development in host communities.
Rep. Jurry further urged the Maryland County administration to manage the recently donated earth-moving equipment responsibly, calling for a clear and transparent deployment schedule covering the county’s three electoral districts.
He said an equitable timetable would help prevent favoritism, conflicts of interest, and disputes among communities over the use of public equipment.
According to him, the machines should be deployed based on development priorities so that all parts of Maryland County benefit fairly from public resources.
