Residents of Grand Bassa County Electoral District #4 are demanding answers after US$12,500 was withdrawn from the community’s forest account and reportedly handed to their lawmaker, Representative Alfred H. Flomo, for “safe keeping.”
According to a letter dated January 23, 2026, from the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) Executive Committee, the funds were withdrawn from the official Community Forest bank account by CFMB member J. Max Kpeleh and delivered directly to Rep. Flomo. The letter states the money was turned over to the lawmaker for custodial purposes.
The disclosure has triggered widespread concern among residents, who argue that the funds were earmarked for local development projects and should have remained in the community’s account. Citizens are now pressing for transparency, questioning who authorized the withdrawal, why the money was removed from the bank, and where the full amount is currently being held.
Community members emphasize that forest revenues are public resources intended to benefit District #4. They insist that placing such funds in private custody undermines accountability and risks mismanagement. “These are community funds, not personal property,” one resident said, echoing calls for an immediate explanation.
The controversy has heightened demands for oversight of forest governance in Grand Bassa. Civil society advocates note that Liberia’s forest communities have long struggled with issues of misappropriation, with funds often diverted away from intended development projects. They argue that the incident underscores the need for stronger safeguards and transparent reporting mechanisms.
As pressure mounts, residents are urging both the CFMB and Representative Flomo to provide a clear account of the transaction. They want assurances that the money will be returned to the community’s account and used for its intended purpose. “We need accountability. This is about trust between leaders and the people,” another community member stressed.
Efforts to reach Rep. Flomo for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off at press time. The CFMB has yet to issue a public statement beyond the January 23 letter.
For now, the $12,500 withdrawal remains unexplained, fueling suspicion and frustration among District #4 residents. The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates over forest fund management, transparency, and the responsibilities of elected officials to safeguard community resources.
