Harper City, Maryland County – Frustration and anger have boiled over at the Harper General Market, where marketers have filed a formal seven-count complaint against Mr. Abraham Wilson, the Superintendent of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Maryland County Detachment. The vendors accuse Mr. Wilson of unilateral decision-making, specifically regarding significant increases in market fees, coupled with a lack of transparency, poor accountability, and the market’s deteriorating conditions under his long tenure.
The Concerned Marketers of the Harper General Market Association are vehemently opposing the recent hike in daily ticket fees from L$20 to L$50 and the annual table registration from L$700 to L$2,000. They assert that these decisions, reportedly made at a recent national LMA conference, were implemented without any consultation with the local stakeholders who would bear the financial burden.
The formal complaint outlines a series of grievances:
- Unilateral increase in daily ticket fees and table registration costs.
- Lack of stakeholder consultation on critical decisions affecting marketers.
- Role overlap, with Mr. Wilson allegedly undermining the authority of Harper Market Superintendent Ms. Oretha Howe.
- Absence of financial transparency, with no regular reports shared with marketers.
- Neglected infrastructure, including a leaking roof, unsanitary conditions, and vulnerability to flooding.
- No visible development within the market, despite years of Mr. Wilson’s leadership.
- Unaccounted daily revenue collections.
Several marketers have voiced their distress over the current state of affairs. Alicia G. Dennis, Gabriel Gbarba, and Elizabeth Neh all highlighted the difficult economic climate, where even the previous fees were a struggle to pay due to slow business. “To pay the common 20 LRD is a war, before even talking about 50 LRD. Business is not going, people’s goods spoil due to flooding, and we have no warehouse or support,” lamented Elizabeth Neh, head of the Harper Fish Women’s Association.
In response to the accusations, Mr. Abraham C. Wilson denied any wrongdoing. He stated that the fee increase was a national decision made by a majority vote at the LMA national convention in Voinjama, Lofa County, earlier this year. He further claimed that he opposed the L$50 increase and that the LMA’s operational structure does not mandate consultations with local marketers before implementing national policies. Mr. Wilson admitted that financial reports are not shared with the marketers, stating that it is not standard practice within the association, but maintained that reports are submitted to the central LMA in Monrovia.
The situation has drawn the attention of Maryland County Superintendent Hon. Henry B. Cole, who expressed his disappointment with Mr. Wilson. This sentiment was particularly strong after Mr. Wilson allegedly defied a local agreement to withhold 27% of revenue destined for Monrovia – a temporary measure intended to prompt intervention from LMA headquarters. “Abraham Wilson has my cooperation no more. I did not authorize anyone to bring that money to me, and he lied to me,” stated Superintendent Cole, calling for calm while awaiting a team from Monrovia to assess and mediate the escalating conflict.
Ms. Oretha Howe, the recently appointed Superintendent of the Harper General Market, acknowledged the validity of the marketers’ concerns and supported their calls for a comprehensive audit and institutional reform. While she denied being actively blocked by Mr. Wilson in her duties, she conceded the urgent need for improved communication and greater leadership accountability within the LMA’s local detachment.
Faced with what they perceive as neglect and financial strain, the concerned marketers have issued a strong warning. They have vowed to enforce a “go-slow action” – a market-wide protest aimed at shutting down operations – if their grievances are not addressed by both local and national authorities in a timely manner.
As tensions continue to rise, the demand for transparency, accountability, and inclusive leadership within the Maryland County marketing system is intensifying, potentially setting a precedent for similar markets across the region. The impending intervention from Monrovia will be crucial in determining the future of the Harper General Market and the livelihoods of its many vendors.
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