Representative Bernard Blue Benson has unveiled his second annual district report, highlighting major development gains, legislative achievements, and ongoing challenges affecting Electoral District 17 in Montserrado County.

The report, presented April 23 at the Unity Conference Center in Montserrado County, covered activities and projects undertaken between March 17, 2025, and May 23, 2026. The event brought together local government officials, civil society actors, youth groups, media representatives, and residents of the district.

In his foreword, Rep. Benson described the report as part of his commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that several accomplishments were achieved “with no resources from the national coffers.”

The District 17 lawmaker outlined progress across key sectors including electricity, roads and infrastructure, healthcare, education, women empowerment, security, and sports development.

Among the report’s major highlights was ongoing electricity expansion under a World Bank-supported project being implemented by Wilkins Engineering. According to Rep. Benson, more than 3,000 homes and businesses have already been connected to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) grid, while Phase Two of the expansion is expected to begin in August 2026 and extend services to communities including Clay Ashland and Kormah.

On infrastructure, the representative reported the completion of culverts and bridges in Cheesmanburg and Kpekor Road, ongoing construction of the Mary Caphart Bridge in Neal Bush Community, rehabilitation of several feeder roads, and continued government-backed pavement works along the VOA Road and Jah Tondo Town corridor.

Representative Benson also highlighted legislative achievements during his tenure in the 55th Legislature, including sponsorship of the bill that established the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), which has since been signed into law by the President of Liberia.

The report placed significant emphasis on women empowerment initiatives. Rep. Benson disclosed that his office has launched skills-training programs targeting more than 600 women and announced a one million Liberian dollar women’s skills initiative aimed at expanding vocational opportunities across rural communities in District 17.

In education, the lawmaker said 183 students from kindergarten through university level are benefiting from scholarship assistance under his office’s scholarship scheme. He added that more than L$500,000 has already been paid to schools within the district, with plans to increase funding through an additional one million Liberian dollar scholarship initiative.

Healthcare improvements cited in the report included rehabilitation of health facilities, medical outreach programs, and donations of over 150 boxes of assorted medications distributed to public clinics throughout the district.

The representative acknowledged persistent challenges facing the district, including poor road connectivity, youth unemployment, land disputes, drug abuse, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and limited social development funding.

Looking ahead, Rep. Benson said priorities for the coming year include continued electricity expansion, construction of bridges and markets, procurement of an ambulance, school renovations, women empowerment programs, and increased youth employment opportunities.

He concluded the report by calling for unity and collective participation in the district’s development agenda.

“We were elected with a mandate to serve and to ensure the development of the district,” Rep. Benson stated, adding that youth empowerment remains one of his administration’s top priorities.