Africa-Press – Liberia. Pressure is mounting on Maryland County Superintendent Henry Cole following a formal petition by Representative Anthony F. Williams of Electoral District 2 to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), calling for a comprehensive audit into the use of County Development Funds for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
In his petition addressed to LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Rep. Williams raised serious concerns over what he described as discrepancies between official government reports and the actual status of several county development projects reportedly marked as “completed.”
According to the lawmaker, projects listed as finalized in reports submitted by the Superintendent and other county officials to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development remain incomplete or untouched on the ground. He warned that such inconsistencies raise red flags about transparency, accountability, and the proper use of public resources.
“These reports raise serious concerns about accuracy, transparency, and the proper use of public funds entrusted for community development,” Rep. Williams stated.
Among the projects named in the petition are the Globken Public School, Glofaken City Hall, Karluway Superintendent’s Compound, and the Grand Cavalla Teachers’ Quarters. Rep. Williams argued that the current conditions of these projects do not align with their reported completion status, suggesting possible misrepresentation and misuse of public funds.
In line with the LACC’s mandate, the Representative has requested a full audit of all County Development Funds allocated to Maryland County during the period under review, as well as an investigation into the reporting and implementation of the projects. He further urged the Commission to take appropriate action based on its findings, in accordance with the law.
The LACC has since acknowledged receipt of the petition, signaling the possible start of a formal probe into the matter.
Responding to the allegations in a recent phone interview with FrontPage Africa, Superintendent Henry Cole dismissed the claims and accused Rep. Williams of politicizing the issue. He maintained that he is fully aware of his responsibilities and has the experience to manage county affairs.
“I know what I am doing. Let them do anything they think they can do. I come to this job with experience,” Supt. Cole said, adding, “That Pleebo Representative should continue his politics.”
Superintendent Cole mentioned that projects listed as “completed” in his report refer to full payment made to contractors, not the physical completion of the projects themselves.
“When I say the project status is completed, it means we have finished paying the contractors in full, not that the project work is completed,” he said.
However, Rep. Williams rejected the Superintendent’s assertion, insisting that his actions are rooted in constitutional oversight responsibilities rather than political motives.
“I’m playing my oversight responsibilities, not politics. The right thing must be done. This is why our people voted President Boakai,” the lawmaker responded.
Adding to the growing calls for accountability, the District Development Officer for Pleebo Statutory District, Hon. Emmanuel Quire, has publicly urged the LACC to conduct a full-scale investigation into funds allocated for the Gbloken Primary School project, which was reported as “completed” by the County Superintendent.
Hon. Quire accused Superintendent Cole of excluding local authorities from project planning and implementation, describing the reporting process as embarrassing and misleading.
“The County Superintendent Henry Cole, along with his finance office, alone crafts development agendas for our districts,” Quire said. “The LACC needs to come down and audit this Superintendent.”
Meanwhile, public reactions have intensified across Maryland County, with citizens taking to social media to demand the immediate removal of Superintendent Cole. Several posts have called for his replacement, with some suggesting Hon. Nathaniel Toe, a Unity Party stalwart in the county, as a possible successor.
“Hon. Nathaniel Toe, we need your service,” Romeo Sio, a National Lottery Authority official based in Maryland County posted on Facebook.
Another social media post by a prominent youth in Maryland County, Twaai Klee read, “Hon. Nathaniel Toe could best serve as Maryland County Superintendent.”
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