Monrovia – Montserrado County District 17 Representative Bernard Benson has released his second annual legislative report, highlighting gains in electricity expansion, scholarships, women’s empowerment, healthcare, roads, and infrastructure — many of which, he said, were achieved without legislative project allocations from the national budget.
By Obediah Johnson
Speaking during the presentation of the report at the Unity Conference Center outside Monrovia over the weekend, Benson said although the Constitution mandates lawmakers to focus on oversight, representation, and lawmaking, he has extended his work to include road and infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and empowerment programs for women and persons with disabilities.
He vowed to continue using resources from his foundation and businesses to address challenges affecting residents of District 17.
Electricity Expansion
Representative Benson recounted the oversight role he played in the expansion of electricity to several communities in the district. The project is being funded by the World Bank and implemented by Wilkins Engineering Firm.
According to him, significant progress has already been made under Phase One of the project, with more than 3,000 homes, businesses, and other facilities connected to the Liberia Electricity Corporation grid.
He, however, acknowledged that the expansion process experienced interruptions due to administrative and logistical challenges. Despite the setbacks, he said community engagement activities have commenced in Kormah District ahead of the anticipated launch of Phase Two in August this year.
Benson said the next phase is expected to extend electricity to Clay Ashland and surrounding communities.
“We are also actively engaging LEC to consider expanding the grid to Royesville, Cheesmanburg, Millsburg and Arthington,” Benson said. “Please be assured that LEC will reach 80 percent of District 17 before our next report.”
He thanked the Government of Liberia, the World Bank, and the management and staff of the Liberia Electricity Corporation for their continued efforts to expand electricity access in the district.
Roads and Infrastructure
Benson also highlighted progress in road and bridge rehabilitation projects across the district.
He disclosed that his office funded the construction of culverts and bridges in Cheesmanburg and along Kpekor Road, including surface grading and laterite filling works. Other interventions included rehabilitation of the Red Hill Field community connector road and the ongoing construction of the Mary Caphart Bridge.
He said his office also engaged residents and stakeholders regarding the proposed pavement of the Red Hill Field Community by Liberty Investment (AquaLife).
According to Benson, advocacy efforts from his office and community residents contributed to the rehabilitation of the Virginia-to-Sand Mining Road, repairs to the Hotel Road bridge, completion of the Zakama Field Community Center, and renovation of the Babyma Junction community latrine.
He further disclosed that solar lights were installed at the Gbondoi Clinic.
The lawmaker also named the VOA Road pavement project, the ongoing Jah Tondo Town-to-NASSCORP Road rehabilitation, and the construction of the Virginia-Clay Ashland bridge as major government-backed interventions facilitated through his engagements.
Healthcare Challenges
Despite the reported progress, Benson admitted that public health facilities in District 17 continue to face serious challenges, including shortages of drugs, deteriorating infrastructure, poor accessibility, and inadequate electricity and water supply.
To address some of these issues, he said his office has continued to lobby for increased budgetary support to health facilities in the district.
As a result of those efforts, Benson disclosed that the Gbondoi Community Health Center is expected to receive an allocation of US$20,000 in the 2026 national budget.
He also praised several non-governmental organizations for supporting healthcare delivery in the district, including the rehabilitation and dedication of the maternal and child health ward in Clay Ashland by Electa Chapter 6 in April 2025, renovation of the Arthington Clinic by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November 2025, and rehabilitation of the Gbondoi Health Center by the French Development Agency.
Benson said his office also distributed more than 150 boxes of assorted medications donated by partners in Canada to public clinics across the district.
He further cited free medical outreach initiatives conducted by his Blue Foundation as part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services.
“Our short-term goal is to develop and build the capacity of all public health facilities in the district to become more efficient in providing medical services through government support and the intervention of development partners, NGOs and other stakeholders,” he said.
Women’s Empowerment
Benson emphasized that financial assistance for women’s empowerment remains one of the most requested forms of support from communities across the district.
He disclosed that his office distributed more than LD$2.2 million to women’s groups in VOA, Red Hill Field, Iron Gate, Christian Community, NASSCORP Village, Brewerville, Zakama, and Arthington, among other areas.
According to him, his office has also expanded empowerment efforts through vocational and skills training programs. He said more than 600 women around the NASSCORP Village community are currently undergoing training in various skills.
He added that a rural women’s empowerment initiative will soon begin in Arthington before being extended to other rural communities in the district ahead of 2028.
Education and Scholarships
Benson said that as a member of the House Committee on Education at the 55th Legislature, he advocated for the inclusion of volunteer teachers in the Ministry of Education’s EXCEL Loan Project, resulting in many volunteers being transitioned to permanent employment status.
He also disclosed that his office submitted a bill seeking the establishment of the Right Bank Technical and Vocational Institute.
According to him, the proposed institution, if enacted into law, would provide technical and vocational training opportunities for residents of the district and beyond.
The lawmaker further stated that his office’s rural vocational training program recently graduated 156 women from the NASSCORP Village community, while another 150 women are currently enrolled in training in the Kobono Shop community.
He announced plans to extend the program to Arthington in June 2026, with the goal of expanding it to all rural townships before 2028.
During the event, Benson also launched a LD$1 million women’s skills training initiative aimed at empowering more than 1,000 women through vocational education.
He revealed that his office is also preparing to host an inter-high school quiz competition and other academic contests in the district.
“Our scholarship scheme remains on course, with 183 students from kindergarten to university currently benefiting,” Benson said. “We have paid more than LD$500,000 to various schools in the district, and we will double our efforts this year with the launch of the LD$1 million scholarship fund.”
Sports and Recreation
Benson said his office has remained actively involved in supporting sports and recreational activities in District 17, noting that sports help unite communities and expose young talents to national opportunities.
He said his support also extends to pageantry and other social activities in the district.
According to him, his office has spent more than LD$1.3 million and US$15,000 on sports and pageantry-related initiatives during the reporting period.
Despite the achievements, Benson acknowledged that District 17 still faces major challenges, including poor road connectivity, inadequate bridge infrastructure, the absence of a referral hospital, youth unemployment, and limited empowerment opportunities.
He stressed that the absence of social development funds continues to limit the implementation of additional projects across the district.
The lawmaker pledged to continue engaging relevant authorities and stakeholders to help address the challenges confronting residents of District 17.
