CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a decisive push to address longstanding developmental gaps in Maryland County, Senator James P. Biney led a 19-member delegation to meet with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at his residence on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The delegation, which included the Mayor of Harper and representatives from Barrobo and Gedehtarbo, held a 100-minute engagement with the President from 5:00 PM to 6:40 PM.
Electricity for Underserved Communities
Presenting the delegation’s concerns, Senator Biney stressed that residents of Gedehtarbo and Barrobo can no longer endure the hardship of living without electricity while other parts of the county remain connected. Gedehtarbo is located just three kilometers from the Firestone/Cavalla concession area and five kilometers from Pleebo City. Neither Gedehtarbo nor Barrobo has ever had access to electricity since their founding.
Senator Biney further noted that the people of Gedehtarbo are the original providers of the land now occupied by the Cavalla Concession in Maryland County.
Economic Development and Job Creation
On behalf of Barrobo and Karluway, Senator Biney appealed to President Boakai to encourage Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) to expand its operations into both districts to curb rising unemployment. Despite constituting the largest land area in the county, these two districts lack any economic lifeline—a situation, Biney argued, that has heavily fueled out-migration.
Road Infrastructure to Link Counties
The Senator also made an urgent plea for the Ministry of Public Works to construct the Suwehken-Juduken road, which would connect Barrobo to Kanweaken in River Gee County, improving inter-county access and economic integration.
Restoring Harper City Hall
The delegation requested that the President include the complete renovation of Harper City Hall—including restoration of its historic theater—in the national budget. Once considered Liberia’s most beautifully designed city hall before its destruction during the civil war, the building remains a cherished symbol of Maryland’s architectural heritage. Marylanders at home and abroad have long hoped to see it restored.
President Boakai’s Response and Directives
President Boakai expressed profound appreciation for Senator Biney’s support during the 2023 General and Presidential Elections and welcomed the delegation warmly. Reaffirming his commitment to transformative national development, the President was joined during the session by the Acting Minister of Public Works and the Deputy Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
The President instructed both officials to coordinate directly with Senator Biney and local leaders to define execution frameworks for the proposed initiatives.
In a significant breakthrough, the Deputy Managing Director of LEC formally announced that the agency will immediately commence the electrification of Gedehtarbo.
Next Steps
Pursuant to the President’s directives, the delegation is scheduled to hold two preparatory meetings on Tuesday, April 14, 2026: a 9:00 AM session with the Ministry of Public Works and an 11:00 AM meeting with LEC. Both meetings will focus on assessment and feasibility mechanisms for the Barrobo road project, electricity initiatives, and the renovation of Harper City Hall.
Background: Pipe-Borne Water Progress
On a separate note, Senator Biney recalled that two years ago, he appealed to the President to extend pipe-borne water to Pleebo. That project has since attracted over one million United States dollars in budgetary appropriations. Upon completion, Pleebo residents will have access to pipe-borne water in their homes for the first time in the city’s history.
The Maryland County delegation is scheduled to return to Maryland on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, following this milestone achievement.
