Gbarpolu County 2026 Budget Hearing Highlights Health, Infrastructure, and Community Empowerment

By: Henry B. Gboluma, Jr. |Gbarpolu Correspondent

Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County |March 26, 2026|The Gbarpolu County 2026 Development Budget Hearing was held taking place at the Bopolu City Hall in Gbarpolu County on March 25, 2026.

In a spirit of collaboration, the hearing gathered local authorities, district leaders, women and youth representatives, and line ministries to review the draft County Social Development Fund (CSDF) for 2026 and to map a shared path toward inclusive development.

Background

The event underscored a unified commitment to transparent budgeting and participatory governance, reflecting the county’s dedication to accountability and community engagement.

Attendees included representatives from Senators and Representatives for Districts #1 and #2, as well as all district commissioners, district youth leaders, and residents of Bopolu City.

The session was chaired by Ms. Lucia Massaquoi, with the County Council serving as the highest decision-making body and the backbone of the budgeting process.

The budget process is driven by the Local Government Act of 2018 and grounded in the County Development Agenda, developed in consultation with the six administrative districts of Gbarpolu County and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

The funding framework combines the National Government’s County Development Fund with CSDF contributions from BAO CHICO Mining Company and Western Cluster Liberia, totaling US$1,606,000.00.

Health-focused initiatives (priority areas):

The health delivery component represents US$183,000.00, or 11.39% of the total budget, and targets critical health infrastructure and services:

Maternity waiting homes planned for Kalata, Kondensu, and Kologbanie;

Nurses’ quarters at Kpayeakwelleh Clinic and Henry Town Clinic; and

Completion of Staff quarter at Bomboma Clinic and construction of staff quarters and a Maternity waiting home at Mokollakwelleh Clinic.

Fuel provision for ambulance services at Emirates Hospital, Drug revolving funds for the 17 active clinics in Gbarpolu and Solar systems and installation for seven clinics (Zuie, Forkpa Town, Perker Town, Morkwelleh Town, Normon, Kologbanie, and Gbarquoista Clinic) to enhance healthcare delivery during night hours.

Infrastructure and development highlights:

Infrastructural investments comprise US$740,400.00, representing 46.97% of the total CSDF, and cover:

Construction of Chief Compounds in Gbarma and Bopolu Districts;

Construction of Safe Home in Bopolu City;

Construction of a Commissioner Compound in Zuie Town, Kongba District,

Completion of the County Sports Stadium; and

Renovation of Bopolu City Hall and the Construction of Gbarpolu Students’ dormitory in Tubmanburg City in Bomi County.

Community and additional fund allocations:

US$284,000.00 (20%) of the SDF from Western Cluster and BAO CHICO Mining Company is allocated to the Gungbaya Chiefdom and the directly affected communities.

Also, in the draft budget, there is US$24,000.00 earmarked for the BAO CHICO Mining Company’s Dedicated Committee to enhance their oversight and activities.

US$90,000.00 to purchase ferries for Heindi Crossing Point and a ferry to be placed over the Lofa River to connect Gbarma through Weasua Town to Kongba District, improving cross-district mobility.

For education and youth development include:

US$10,000.00 for BOMI Community College student support,

 US$10,000.00 for M.V.T.C. student support, and

US$15,000.00 to obtain chairs and instructional materials for Zuie Junior High School, Waymah School, and Guo Nwolailai Junior High School.

Besides, US$30,000.00 is in the proposed budget for training of students from the six districts in heavy-duty driving.

Broadcast and information access allocated:

In the 2026 Draft Budget, US$15,000.00 is proposed for upgrading and expanding Voice of Gbarpolu across the six administrative districts. This fund if approved, will be used for recruitment of six district reporters, additional essential workers at the VOG as well as Training and stipends for volunteers. Part of said fund will also be used for acquiring reporting logistics and equipment upgrades (invertor, broadcast cable, and 4-beam antenna hosted on the orange tower).

Other operational and logistical provisions earmarked in the draft budget include Starlink, vehicles and bikes maintenance, purchase of four bikes, project monitoring fuel and grassroots talent support through district meet sports meet, funding (US$7,000.00) and County Meet support (US$30,000.00), plus US$10,500.00 for volunteers working at the Administrative Building in Bopolu City.

Stakeholder perspectives and next steps

Women and LINSU Representatives urged forward-looking, location-specific development; advocating for a College in Gbarpolu and proposing a redirect of resources from Bomi Community College toward a Gbarpolu College.

Furthermore, the Chiefs and elders emphasized the importance of mobility and regular meetings to sustain peace and address local issues.

The Youth urged enhanced district funding, including youth agricultural projects and recreational facilities.

During the hearing, the Commissioners emphasized decentralization of operations at the Administrative Building in Bopolu City, highlighting the needs for Starlink, operational funds, and ambulance fuel in Kongba, Gbarma, and District Two.

Kongba leadership highlighted road infrastructure as a priority, with concerns about delays due to poor roads.

Superintendent Sam Zinnah noted that road projects are being addressed at the national level, with broader roadworks across the country starting soon upon the deployment of Yellow Machines by the Government.

The hearing featured inputs from sector representatives, including Representatives from Senators and Representatives for Districts #1 and #2, with District #3 Lawmaker not represented at the event.

During the session, all comments and suggestions were documented by the County Council and local administration.

Looking ahead

The Gbarpolu County Development Budget Hearing is a regular activity under the Unity Party-led government, in line with the Local Government Act of 2018.

Having concluded the hearing, the Gbarpolu County Council will reconvene to review the draft budget and exercise its authority to modify, rectify, amend, add, or subtract within 21 working days, as stated by Council Secretary Mohammed Kolo Toury.

He said that the County Council remains committed to a transparent, inclusive, and accountable budget process, ensuring that health, infrastructure, education, and community empowerment are advanced in a balanced, participatory manner for the people of Gbarpolu.