Citizens of Kokoyah Statutory District in Bong County are up in arms against their local authorities, demanding that their leaders account for a US$ 10k rental fees paid by a construction company.
By: Edwin N Khakie
Kokoya, Bong County, April 2, 2025: The money in question was generated from WBHO-SC, a construction company hired by ArcelorMittal Liberia to repair the railroad from Grand Bassa to Nimba County.
The money was paid to the district leadership as a rental fee for the Administrative Compound, which is being used to host the company in Botota.
The allegation of financial mismanagement arose on February 16, 2025, following a peaceful protest by aggrieved citizens of the district.
They accused the statutory leadership of unilaterally distributing the above-mentioned money among a handful of people without including all parties concerned.
Following these allegations, authorities in Bong County launched an investigation into the matter in February, promising to release findings within two weeks.
However, findings from the investigation have not yet been made public, but the district’s representative, Prince Koinah, has called for a dialogue between the two parties.
Traditional leaders, including chiefs and elders in the district, were tasked with conducting the dialogue on March 30, 2025, in Botota City.
However, after the two parties involved were informed about the scheduled meeting, the accused individuals — Isaac Freeman, Officer-in-Charge; Roslevert Urey Kerkulah, District Development Officer; Obediah Z Bahn, Administrative Assistant; and Halarry Garyeazohn, Financial Officer — deliberately refused to attend the meeting despite being informed.
The conflict in the district has been intensified again due to their refusal to honor such instructions. Aggrieved residents are now threatening to act against the district and county leadership in the coming days, if their demands are not properly addressed.
Furthermore, the traditional leaders of the Kokoyah statutory district have voiced their discontent with the accused individuals, describing their actions as disrespectful and lawless.
However, they are calling on Representative Prince Koinah and Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris to quickly intervene in the matter to avoid unrest between citizens and authorities of the district.
Meanwhile, when contacted about the matter, the statutory district’s Officer-In-Charge, Isaac Freeman, declined to give reasons for their actions.
He stated that they were informed of such dialogue, but the elders didn’t arrive on the day mentioned. – Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
