BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — Representative Ernest M. Manseah of Nimba County Electoral District #4 has reported the completion of 18 key development projects, while 24 additional projects remain ongoing, bringing the total number of projects undertaken by his office to 42 between March 2025 and August 2026.
The disclosure was made Saturday in Bayleglay Town during the formal presentation of Representative Manseah’s second annual legislative report, covering the period from March 2025 to August 2026. The report also represents the second quarterly report of his third year in office.
Tens of thousands of citizens, including paramount chiefs, commissioners, government officials, elders, women, youths, and other residents of Electoral District #4, gathered for the occasion to hear an account of the lawmaker’s legislative activities and development initiatives across the district.
According to the report, the completed and ongoing projects span several sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, public safety, youth development, agriculture, and community facilities.
Among the projects highlighted are school buildings, bridges, commissioners’ compounds, guest houses, town halls, police stations, clinics, an auditorium, youth centers, and other healthcare and community facilities in various parts of District #4.
The presentation marked the second time Representative Manseah’s office has formally presented an annual report to constituents. His first annual report, covering January 2024 to March 2025, was presented in Garplay Town.
The lawmaker’s office said the reports are intended to demonstrate progress toward fulfilling campaign promises and implementing the development priorities outlined in Representative Manseah’s political manifesto, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and transparency.
The reporting initiative also forms part of the representative’s stated commitment to keeping constituents informed about his legislative activities, engagements at the national level, and development interventions within the district.
Presenting the latest report, Representative Manseah highlighted achievements and challenges encountered since his administration established a six-year development agenda in consultation with stakeholders across Electoral District #4.
He said the development agenda was designed to identify and address key priorities across the district while ensuring that community concerns are incorporated into the planning and implementation of development projects.
Education and Student Support
On education, Representative Manseah disclosed that his office provided financial assistance to 254 students during the reporting period, totaling approximately LD$2,806,290, or the equivalent of about US$13,400.
He said the assistance covered local scholarships and other forms of financial aid for students attending four higher-learning institutions: Nimba University, Liberia International Christian College (LICC), AMEUZ-Ganta, and Bong Technical College.
The representative said the initiative was intended to help students from the district overcome financial barriers to accessing higher education.
Health, Water and Sanitation
Addressing health, water, and sanitation, Rep. Manseah disclosed that during Fiscal Year 2024, District #4 received US$30,000 from the County Social Development Fund (CSDF).
According to the lawmaker, a portion of the funding was used to support the construction of a health center, as well as the provision of medical equipment and drugs.
He said District #4 has approximately 11 functioning health facilities, although one of the three private clinics in the district has been closed by the county health team due to prevailing circumstances.
The lawmaker also reported that eight community projects were being implemented, with several approaching completion while others remain under construction.
Rep. Manseah, however, called on citizens and other prominent individuals from the district to use their networks to engage development partners and donors, both within Liberia and abroad, to support efforts to strengthen the district’s healthcare sector.
Road Infrastructure and Connectivity
Rep. Manseah identified road infrastructure and connectivity as among the major priorities of his administration.
“Infrastructure development and road connectivity remain key priorities of my administration that warrant serious concentration and attention,” he said.
He acknowledged that the district continues to face significant challenges, including deplorable road conditions and inadequate public infrastructure such as hospitals, safe drinking-water systems, electricity, and other essential amenities.
The lawmaker disclosed that his office had secured approximately US$300,000 in the 2026 National Budget for the construction or rehabilitation of the Boa and Droyee bridges along the Karnplay-Garplay Road.
He said work on the bridges is expected to commence before October or, at the latest, November 2026.
Rep. Manseah further disclosed that his office sponsored two separate assessments by public works teams to conduct feasibility studies on several feeder roads across the district.
Based on the findings, he said discussions had been held with the Yellow Machine Committee and the county authorities to include the Karnplay-Bahn Road and the Zehglay Junction-to-Beo Road in an upcoming nationwide road rehabilitation exercise expected to begin in November.
Agriculture and Women’s Empowerment
On agriculture, Representative Manseah described the sector as one of the most important pillars of Liberia’s economy, particularly for communities where farming remains the primary source of livelihood.
He said the large population of District #4 and the district’s dependence on agriculture make investment in farming and support for farmers a major priority.
According to Manseah, consultations with farming groups across the district revealed persistent challenges, including limited access to modern farming techniques, climate-change impacts, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to agricultural loans, outdated farming methods, and low productivity.
He said his office has been working with farming groups to organize them into cooperatives and assist them in obtaining the necessary government clearances that could enable them to access funding, agricultural tools, and other support.
So far, he said, his office has worked with three major groups: the Soe Kwado Cooperative, Gbor Women for Food Security, and the Gbonwea Cooperative.
He added that efforts are underway to incorporate additional groups from Sroh Yoolar and Beo Ganaglay.
The representative also disclosed that his office has been providing basic financial and material support, including agricultural tools and equipment, to some already-established farming groups.
He said the presentation in Bayleglay also marked the launch of an initial capital empowerment initiative for women’s groups across the district, fulfilling a commitment he previously made to constituents.
Security and Drug Abuse
On security, Rep. Manseah said District #4 has faced longstanding security challenges due to the limited capacity of police detachments in Karnplay and Bahn to adequately cover the entire district.
He said the situation has contributed to increasing incidents of crime and violence, including offenses associated with drug and substance abuse, which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property in some communities.
“Honorable commissioners and fellow citizens, as you’ve entrusted us to lead our district, we have seen this as a serious challenge that is endangering the lives of our citizens,” Manseah said.
He disclosed that his office engaged the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), resulting in the deployment of additional LDEA officers at three locations within the district.
According to the lawmaker, the intervention is intended to help curb the use and distribution of harmful substances, particularly among young people.
In addition, he said his office provided a motorbike to LDEA officers stationed in Garplay and commenced construction of two police stations in Garplay and Bayleglay.
He said the Garplay Police Station is expected to be dedicated later this year.
“We hope these measures will help to safeguard our children from drug and other harmful substance abuse and also provide greater security for our people,” he said.
Accountability and Development Agenda
Representative Manseah said the 42 projects—18 completed and 24 ongoing—form part of a broader six-year development strategy aimed at improving basic social services, infrastructure, public safety, education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic opportunities throughout Electoral District #4.
He said the projects reflect his office’s efforts to respond to longstanding community needs while working within available resources and partnerships.
The presentation provided constituents and community leaders an opportunity to review completed interventions, assess ongoing projects, and hear directly from their representative about the challenges and priorities ahead.
The event also underscored the importance of legislative accountability, with Manseah’s office presenting the report as a mechanism for promoting transparency and maintaining communication between the lawmaker and the people he represents.
As Representative Manseah enters the latter part of his third year in office, his administration is expected to continue pursuing projects under its six-year development agenda, with particular emphasis on education, healthcare, road connectivity, agriculture, public safety, and community development across Nimba County Electoral District #4.
