01/02/2026
Liberia’s Vice President Backs Nimba Elders With Motorbikes and Community Aid
Sarlay, Nimba County, Liberia — January 31, 2026
Liberia’s Vice President, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, has moved to address longstanding mobility and welfare concerns among traditional leaders in Nimba County, unveiling a broad support package following a formal appeal from local chiefs and elders.
The appeal emerged during a Christmas gathering in Glehzeezopea, where elders cited transportation challenges that have limited their ability to convene, travel to traditional meeting grounds, and carry out community responsibilities. The request was formally conveyed through Hon. R. Matorkay Tingban, who has long served as an intermediary between the county’s traditional leadership and the national government.
According to officials, the Vice President responded by engaging private-sector partners, including Mr. Dekpah, a prominent businessman from Nimba County, who agreed to supply 100 motorbikes intended to improve mobility for elders across the region.
The assistance was formally presented on Friday at a ceremony in Sarlay. Hon. Tingban, accompanied by Senator Nyan Torwien, delivered the items on behalf of the Vice President. The support package included 100 motorbikes for traditional elders, 6,000 pieces of lappa distributed to women in the community, and 100 African gowns for elders who did not receive motorbikes. Organizers also provided three cows and 30 bags of rice for the occasion, along with LD$700,000 designated to cover fuel costs for operating the motorbikes.
In remarks at the event, Hon. Tingban described the intervention as part of a broader effort to strengthen traditional institutions and support grassroots development, rather than a one-time act of charity. He urged beneficiaries to use the assistance to promote unity, peace, and cooperation within their communities.
Traditional leaders in Nimba County continue to play a central role in dispute resolution, local governance, and social cohesion, particularly in rural areas where formal state institutions are limited.
Observers say the Vice President’s swift response highlights an increasing emphasis by the government on collaboration with traditional authorities and private-sector actors, reflecting a development approach that seeks to blend modern governance with long-established community structures.