Bong County District One Representative Prince K. Koinah has criticized the Bong County administration under Superintendent Loleyah Norris, accusing it of repeatedly failing to implement development projects that were approved and funded for communities in his district under the County Social Development Fund.
The lawmaker made the remarks during a stakeholder engagement held in Zoweinta on Saturday, January 19, 2026, which brought together Bong County Senator Prince Moye, Bong County District Four Representative Robert Womba, community leaders, residents, and county officials, including Superintendent Norris.
Representative Koinah told the gathering that communities in District One have waited for years for development initiatives that were discussed, approved, and financially allotted but never implemented.
He said that despite several engagements with successive county administrations, there has been little or no evidence on the ground to justify the release of funds meant to improve the living conditions of residents in the district.
According to him, the situation has created frustration among citizens who continue to see development funds announced without corresponding results.
He identified Behwee School and the U-Lah Clinic as two major projects that remain untouched under the current county leadership, despite allocations of 30,000 United States dollars for the school and 20,000 United States dollars for the clinic from the most recent County Development Sitting.
He stressed that this pattern of neglect did not begin with the present administration, recalling that during the tenure of former District One Representative Albert Hills, more than 220,000 United States dollars was allotted between 2017 and 2022 for five projects across the district, including Behwee School and the U-Lah Clinic, yet none of those projects were meaningfully implemented.
Under the current leadership of Superintendent Norris, Representative Koinah said the same pattern continues, with funds allotted for the Behwee School and U-Lah Clinic projects but no construction, renovation, or tangible progress taking place.
He said he has consistently raised these concerns with the superintendent and her technical team, submitting proposals and following up on commitments made during county sittings, yet the situation has not changed. According to him, the repeated failure to complete projects has eroded public trust and left many communities feeling marginalized within the county’s overall development agenda.
“The people of District One deserve to see the results of the funds allocated in their name, not excuses and delays that last for years,” Representative Koinah said.
The lawmaker stressed that development discussions at the county level must translate into action at the community level, warning that continued neglect could further strain relations between the county administration and residents. He said the growing frustration among citizens is justified, as development remains the most basic expectation from local governance.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the county development fund brings real benefits to the people, not just figures on paper,” Koinah added. “If projects are approved and money is released, then those projects must be completed for the people to feel the impact of governance.”
Representative Koinah also linked the lack of development to ongoing disputes surrounding scrap metal activities in parts of District One, including Boisein and surrounding communities. He disclosed that he has advised local leaders and residents not to cooperate with the county administration on scrap metal operations until visible development projects are implemented in the district. According to him, cooperation must be built on mutual respect and fairness.
“We cannot continue to allow scrap business in our communities while our schools, roads, and public facilities remain abandoned,” Koinah stated. “Until the county demonstrates that District One is recognized through meaningful development, there will be no cooperation on scr
ap activities.”
Several residents of District One who attended the engagement expressed appreciation for Representative Koinah’s stance, describing his action as timely and courageous. They said the lawmaker has given voice to concerns that communities have quietly endured for many years.
A resident from Behwee said the representative spoke directly to their daily struggles, noting that unfinished projects have affected education and community morale. “Representative Koinah is saying exactly what we have been feeling for a long time, and we are grateful that he is standing up for us,” the resident said.
Another community member from Boisein praised the lawmaker for confronting the county leadership in public, saying it demonstrates genuine commitment to the people. “It takes courage to challenge powerful officials, but our representative has shown that he puts the people first,” the resident remarked.
A youth leader from Zoweinta also welcomed Representative Koinah’s position, adding that development must precede any business activity in the district. “We appreciate Representative Koinah for reminding the county that development is our right, not a favor,” the youth leader said.
Representative Koinah reaffirmed that his position remains firm until the county administration addresses the stalled projects in District One, adding that his advocacy will continue regardless of pressure or the presence of other national leaders at county events.
During the engagement, Superintendent Norris was given the opportunity to respond to concerns surrounding the stalled projects. However, she could not justify why no work has been carried out on the Behwee School and U-Lah Clinic projects despite money being allotted for them, a situation that further fueled dissatisfaction among residents and local leaders in attendance.