The Bong County administration is facing renewed criticism over what is being described as continued neglect of motorcyclists in the county’s development planning, as debate intensifies ahead of the FY2026 budget allocation. A leading motorcyclist figure and Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Empowerment Network of Liberia, William Lamie, has strongly accused county authorities of consistently sidelining members of the Merged Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Union of Liberia, Bong County Chapter, from benefiting in the county budget.
Mr. Lamie argued that despite being one of the largest organized groups of young workers in Bong County, motorcyclists have been repeatedly excluded from structured empowerment programs and financial support under county development initiatives.
He said this continued exclusion reflects a serious imbalance in how county resources are distributed, especially at a time when the FY2026 budget, estimated at 3.9 million United States dollars, is under consideration. According to him, many cyclists operate under difficult “work-and-pay” systems, where daily earnings are shared with bike owners, leaving them with very limited income for education, training, and family support.
He described the situation as unjust, warning that the lack of support for motorcyclists could worsen youth hardship and deepen inequality within the county’s informal workforce.
Mr. Lamie then called on the Bong County Council to urgently create a dedicated budget line for motorcyclists, which he said should support vocational training, scholarships, and youth empowerment initiatives targeting riders across the county.
He also urged the Bong County Administrative Officer, D. Sam Baryougah Elliott Sr., to take a leading role in advocating for cyclists during the ongoing budget discussions, noting his past involvement with the motorcyclist community.
Lamie further alleged that despite years of engagement, motorcyclists continue to receive minimal attention in county development planning; a situation he believes reflects weak commitment to inclusive governance.
He stressed that while his organization continues to provide limited training and scholarship support to cyclists; such efforts cannot replace what he described as the government’s responsibility to its young citizens.
He maintained that excluding motorcyclists from the county budget undermines efforts toward inclusive development, adding that the transport sector remains a key contributor to Bong County’s local economy and youth employment.