By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, Wednesday — A new research report released by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has revealed that while the County Social Development Fund (CSDF) has contributed to visible improvements in local infrastructure, serious challenges continue to undermine its effectiveness and impact.
Presenting the findings at a press briefing in Monrovia, CENTAL Executive Director Mr. Anderson Miamen thanked members of the media for their continued support in advancing good governance and accountability in Liberia. He noted that the CSDF, which is financed through contributions from concession companies and allocations from the national government, was designed to spur development in counties hosting extractive operations.
According to Mr. Miamen, the CSDF has enabled the construction of schools, health facilities, town halls, markets, and other public infrastructure in several counties. However, he stressed that the fund’s potential is often weakened by governance and management gaps.
The report, titled “Open Expenditure: Examining CSDF Projects in Six Counties,” is based on field research conducted in June 2025 in Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Rivercess, and Gbarpolu Counties. CENTAL researchers visited more than 30 CSDF-funded project sites and conducted interviews with county authorities and community representatives to assess the overall effectiveness of the fund.
Findings from the study show that citizens acknowledged progress in education, health, and community infrastructure. At the same time, communities raised concerns about incomplete projects, slow implementation, and limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Many communities reported having little access to information on CSDF disbursements, making it difficult for citizens to monitor projects and demand accountability.
The study further revealed that a significant portion of CSDF resources is being directed toward administrative buildings and government facilities, often located in county capitals, rather than toward projects that directly address pressing community needs in rural areas.
Among the key findings, the report highlights the continued centralization of CSDF decision-making, weak contract management, inadequate contractor oversight, and uneven procurement practices across counties. In some cases, unauthorized changes to project scopes increased costs and led to prolonged delays, while poor supervision resulted in violations of labor and child protection laws.
CENTAL also expressed concern over the lack of accessibility features in most CSDF-funded facilities, noting that persons with disabilities remain largely excluded from benefiting fully from publicly funded projects. In addition, the report found that County Councils—mandated by law to provide oversight—often lack the staff, logistics, and financial support needed to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
Based on its findings, CENTAL recommends that counties prioritize fewer but higher-impact projects, strengthen the capacity of County Councils, ensure timely release of CSDF allocations, and institutionalize participatory monitoring mechanisms involving civil society, women, and youth groups. The organization also called for stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, county administrations, and civil society actors to improve transparency and accountability.
