Grand Kru Seeks Payroll Relief

Grand Kru County Development Officer, Joe Momo Sekpeh, has appealed for the placement of qualified volunteers on the government payroll and increased investment in capacity building, warning that staffing shortages continue to undermine public service delivery despite ongoing development across the county.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement with Acting Minister of Local Government, Edward K. Mulbah, Sekpeh said Grand Kru has recorded significant progress under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma BoakaiSr. through the implementation of the government’s ARREST Agenda and decentralization policy.

According to him, the County Development Fund has financed a series of infrastructure projects over the past two years, including the layout of 32 new streets in Barclayville, the renovation of Barclayville City Hall, rehabilitation of the County Service Center, and the procurement of motorbikes for district superintendents. The county has also extended financial and logistical support to line ministries, the joint security, Voice of Grand Kru Radio, and university students.

Sekpeh highlighted plans for the construction of a 50-kilometer asphalt road linking the George Bush Bridge to Sassatown and Civilize Village in Electoral District Two. He disclosed that compensation has been paid to affected property owners and demolition work has begun under the supervision of the contracted company.

He further announced that construction of a European Union-funded solar power grid is advancing in Barclayville, while groundwork is underway for a modern sports stadium expected to break ground in November 2026. Engineers of the Armed Forces of Liberia are also constructing a parking facility to support heavy-duty road equipment.

In the health sector, Sekpeh said support from the German Government has led to the construction of a central drug depot, two clinics, and the renovation of the Dr. Dormu Nimely Maternity Hospital in Sassatown.

 He noted that the education sector has benefited from new early childhood education schools, the expansion of Grand Kru Technical College, and the installation of 110 solar streetlights across Barclayville.

Despite the progress, Sekpeh said the county continues to struggle with a large number of qualified volunteers serving in the Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government, and other public institutions without being placed on the national payroll.

He urged Acting Minister Mulbah to convey the county’s concerns to President Boakai and advocate for the absorption of the volunteers into government employment, arguing that doing so would strengthen service delivery throughout the county.

Sekpeh also called for more decentralized training opportunities for district-level officials, noting that limited access to capacity-building programs has constrained effective local governance.

While Grand Kru continues to roll out ambitious infrastructure and social development projects, county authorities say addressing human resource and institutional capacity challenges will be critical to sustaining the gains and ensuring the successful implementation of the government’s decentralization agenda.