Bong residents accuse lawmaker of abandoning them

A cross session of residents of Suakoko and Yellequelleh Districts of Bong County are expressing serious disenchantment over claims that their lawmaker Rep. Edward W. Karfiah has abandoned them since he was certificated by the National Elections Commission (NEC).

They say the elected Mr. Karfiah with the expectation of collaboratively transforming the district by consulting them to enact laws that will improve their district.

A resident of SKT Mr. Patrick Sumo has told our Bong Count correspondent that prior to the second term of Mr. Karfiah, the lawmaker initiated several projects in the district including the operation of a scholarship foundation that benefited students both in high schools, college and the Cuttington University in the county.
But Mr. Sumo narrates that the abandonment of these projects especially the scholarship foundation is posting serious hardship on them, claiming that the lawmaker previously owed other schools for students that were benefiting from the foundation.

Also speaking to this paper, some residents of Gbatala which is considered Mr. Karfiah’s stronghold say the early abandonment of the district is frustrating.

“We are confused as to what we have done to Representative Karfiah that he has not even come back to at least appreciate us since we voted him. It embarrasses us when we see other citizens enjoying the developmental impact of their lawmaker while ours is still in limbo,” the locals have said.

“Some of our children were unable to be readmitted for this school year because their report cards were seized by school administers that the representative still owes”, the resident told our correspondent.

There suggestions that the lawmaker is allegedly harboring grudge against residents in the areas for not supporting his second term bid. Some of his confidants are said to be in every corners murmuring about his alleged action against the district since his certification.

Many of them say they believe that Mr. Karfiah’s reelection would have explored more education and job opportunities for them. When contacted, the Political Affairs Officer in the Office of Rep. Karfiah, Mr. Lawrence Flomo stated that they had paid students’ fees in the district over the past time without appreciation from the people.

According to him, even though it is their plans to work in the district, they need to be appreciated. Mr. Flomo named the construction of bridges and roads as major projects that the district lawmaker is currently undertaking. Mr. Flomo described the alleged abandonment of the district by Rep. Karfiah as a blatant lie, stating that they usually pay visit to their people.

By Joseph Titus Yekeryan in Bong– Edited by Winston W. Parley