Nimba County District Number Eight Representative, Saye Sylvester Mianah, on Saturday, July 25 hosted a colorful appreciation and community outreach event in Flumpa Town, Nimba County, drawing chiefs, district officials and dozens of residents to honor volunteer teachers, health workers and other community servants from District 8.
By Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County
Describing the gathering as the first of its kind since the district’s creation, Rep. Mianah, who is the Chairman of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, combined formal remarks with local ceremony.
Children in bright uniforms lined the meeting area, elders rested beneath mango trees and chiefs in traditional regalia accepted tokens of appreciation while local drummers punctuated the program.
Aid distribution and beneficiaries
Rep. Mianah presented roughly 300 bags of rice and LRD 300,000 in cash to unpaid volunteer teachers, health workers and paramount chiefs from communities across District 8.
The aid targeted unpaid volunteers and local officials, though many residents and pupils attended the open event.
Several recipients spoke about the hardships of serving in remote communities with limited resources and expressed gratitude for the public recognition.
Professionalizing volunteers
Responding to the long-standing calls for government absorption of volunteer teachers and health workers, Rep. Mianah said formal hiring into the civil service will require applicants to meet established qualifications.
He pledged to work with the district education chair, county superintendent and the Ministry of Education to identify volunteers willing to pursue teacher training or university credentials so they can be considered for future budgets.
“Some absorption could take place in the next budget period,” he said, urging volunteers to pursue the necessary qualifications while promising district support for training pathways when possible.
Improving schools and teacher incentives
Rep. Mianah, who has been praised by health workers, teachers alongside with Paramount Chiefs and citizens of District Number 8 for his continued support toward them and the level of development activities across the district.
The lawmaker announced plans to improve teacher accommodations and classroom furnishings to attract and retain qualified personnel.
He said he has purchased power saws and will supply saws, fuel and timber during the dry season to support community-led construction of benches, desks and other furniture.
He described several school buildings as “a serious embarrassment” and pledged repairs and rebuilding during the dry months, with community carpentry projects providing immediate improvements while longer-term renovations are planned.
Budget transparency and community projects
The lawmaker outlined a recent district meeting on allocation of an annual fund tied to ArcelorMittal Liberia operations.
He said USD 294,000 intended for affected communities was distributed among agreed projects after broad consultation.
The funds will support cleaning campaigns, compound improvements and construction of a 10-room guest house to host visiting elders and officials.
Rep. Mianah said he personally inspects projects and will continue follow-up to ensure accountability.
Security and infrastructure priorities
Rep. Mianah highlighted two priority infrastructure projects: construction of a new town centers and establishment of a police station in Zahn Duo to improve security and shorten response times near district boundaries.
He pointed out that the groundwork for the police station will begin in the dry season.
Currently, residents of Zahn Duo Town often cross the St. John River into Bong County to seek police assistance; a local station would reduce delays and strengthen law enforcement presence.
Community engagement and dispute resolution.
The Representative urged citizens to bring concerns directly to district offices rather than airing disputes on radio. While acknowledging the past value of radio advocacy, he said official channels enable leaders to respond with practical solutions.
“If you have a problem, please reach my office for redress,” he told the crowd..
Program phases and rotation
Rep. Mianah said the appreciation program will continue in additional phases and rotate to other communities across District 8 following consultations with chiefs and community representatives.
He asked residents who felt disappointed or omitted to remain patient.
On Saturday, in Saclepea, Educational District Number Two officials formally thanked Rep. Mianah and reiterated urgent needs.
District Education Officer ( DEO ) Kou Blasin Nyan described a severe shortage of paid teachers and widespread reliance on volunteers who teach without regular salaries.
She called for permanent recruitment and government pay to stabilize staffing and described overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating buildings with cracked walls, leaking roofs and makeshift desks.
District Health Officer Nyan Ben made parallel appeals on behalf of clinics that depend heavily on volunteer staff often family members of patients who have served for six to eight years without compensation.
He asked Rep. Mianah to press national authorities to regularize these positions and improve clinic conditions and medical supplies.
Response and local reaction.
Rep. Mianah pledged to take the district’s concerns to county and national officials, advocating for hiring and paying qualified teachers and health workers and pushing for investment in school and clinic infrastructure.
Beneficiaries, including several paramount chiefs, described the visit and donations as unprecedented in the district’s history.
Scenes from the events
Both gatherings were notable for the rhythmic beating of drums punctuated speeches, and spontaneous applause followed each presentation of rice and cash.
Volunteers shared stories of long walks to remote schools, sleeping in classrooms to keep schools open and treating patients with scant supplies underscoring the urgency of their appeals for formal support.
Next steps
Rep. Mianah said his office will follow up on promises, coordinate with education and health authorities on training pathways, and monitor planned projects.
He reiterated that distributions will continue in phased rotations across District 8 and invited community members to present grievances through official channels.
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