Monrovia, Liberia – August 1, 2025-Montserrado County Representative Sumo Mulbah has openly criticized how the County Social Development Fund (CSDF) is being handled, accusing local officials of misusing funds meant for community projects. In a firm statement, he pointed out what he called questionable financial decisions by the county administration, especially concerning the recent purchase of a bus and other vehicles.
Mulbah said the issue started when county leaders went ahead with buying a bus using CSDF money without consulting the local communities. He noted that people’s opinions were ignored, leading him and others to skip the official handover event held by the Montserrado County Superintendent.
“After six months of persistent advocacy, they finally settled for a cheaper option—a 17-seater Force Traveler bus,” Mulbah said. He made clear his concerns weren’t personal but came from his duty to protect his district and the people of Liberia.
Funds Meant for Communities Are Being Diverted
Mulbah emphasized that the County Social Development Fund was created to support grassroots projects as part of Liberia’s decentralization efforts. However, he said unclear rules in the 2018 Local Government Act have allowed mismanagement. Instead of funding community development, money has been shifted to administrative costs.
“This is unacceptable,” the lawmaker said. “Even with a national budget allocation of USD $200,000 for Montserrado Local Government, they chose to misuse community funds to buy an office bus.”
He also claimed the CSDF has lacked transparency from the start. “The County Development Fund has been badly managed, with no financial reports shared with county caucus members,” he added. “If this continues, the people of Montserrado will see no benefits, and corruption will only grow.”
Unexplained Spending Raises Concerns
Mulbah revealed that the Force Traveler bus, costing $35,000 including insurance and fees, was bought along with a motorbike for $900 and a Chinese pickup truck for $7,500. That totals $51,000, leaving $26,000 unaccounted for from the allocated funds.
“For transparency, the leftover money should have been declared or returned during the ceremony,” Mulbah insisted. “No official has the right to misuse funds that belong to the people.”
Call for Accountability in Local Purchases
Mulbah urged major reforms, saying Liberia’s local governments need to adopt clear and inclusive public procurement processes. He believes district representatives should be part of every step—from identifying community needs to reviewing bids. He also suggested regular public meetings, open records, and timely updates to rebuild trust and responsibility.
Debate Over Increasing County Development Funds
Looking ahead, Mulbah said Montserrado’s local government, along with civil society groups, plans to push for raising the County Development Fund to $1 million. A forum to discuss this is set for August 6, 2025.
However, Mulbah strongly opposes this plan, warning that without a clear spending plan, it could lead to more corruption. “If this proposal moves forward, I would seriously consider resigning from the House of Legislature,” he said.
He also expressed doubt that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai would approve the increase. Mulbah called on citizens to reject what he called a “harmful and poorly thought out proposal.” Instead, he suggested focusing on issues like fighting drug abuse, which he said is a bigger threat to Liberian youth.
Commitment to Transparency
Mulbah ended by reaffirming his support for projects funded by vendors through competitive bidding, which he believes will protect public money and improve efficiency.
“Our people have suffered enough because of past leadership,” he said. “We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. Real change must serve the people—not the lawmakers or superintendents.”
He also promised to release letters and documents to back up his claims about the planned August 6 forum and the proposed fund increase if his statements are questioned.
