West Point Commissioner Reveals Empty Coffers and Debt Left by Predecessor

The Commissioner of the densely populated township of West Point, Mr. McPherson Dewah, has disclosed that he inherited no funds when he assumed office in July. According to him, his predecessor, Mr. Wallace Wea, left only two sheets of paper listing the names of a few employees and a debt of $75,000 USD owed for hall usage.

Mr. Dewah recounted that, upon taking office, he found nothing available to facilitate his work; essential equipment, including computers and printers, was either missing or nonfunctional. He expressed gratitude to some West Point natives residing abroad who donated computers and a printer to help him kickstart his administration.

As part of immediate reforms, Mr. Dewah and his staff have taken steps to open an official account with Ecobank Liberia to ensure better financial management for the township. He noted that, during the last six years under the CDC administration, all funds collected for West Point’s upkeep were allegedly entrusted to a single individual for safekeeping, rather than placed in a formal account.

McPherson Dewah, Commissioner of West Point

The township of West Point, home to approximately 70,000 residents who largely rely on fishing and small-scale trading, faces numerous challenges. Mr. Dewah pointed out that, when he took office, public latrines and bathrooms in the commissioner’s office were in deplorable condition. However, after engaging the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Mr. Mo Ali, some improvements have been made to address these unsanitary conditions.

The Commissioner has also placed a moratorium on the issuance of permits for drying and settlement rights along the Montserrado River bank. He stated that this measure is intended to prevent flooding caused by unauthorized construction when the river overflows its banks. The moratorium extends to those who habitually build along the Atlantic Ocean during the dry season, a practice that poses significant environmental risks.

Mr. Dewah emphasized that these reforms are necessary steps to ensure a safer and more sustainable future for the residents of West Point.