By: Ernest Kpehe Moibah| Bomi County Correspondent
Bomi County-Thursday, August 28, 2025-In a bold appeal highlighting long standing concerns of marginalization, Sub-Chief Varney Thomas of Weawolo Clan, Tehr District, has called on the Liberian government to place local leaders on the national payroll and strengthen security in rural communities.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the RRNN at his Gonda Town residence, Chief Thomas argued that the strength of national governance begins with the local authorities who maintain peace and order at the grassroots level.
He urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs to formally recognize and compensate local chiefs, stressing that many have served for years without salaries or benefits.
“I have served my district for more than ten years without pay,” Thomas lamented. “We have engaged our District Representative, Hon. Mannah Bishop Johnson, and other county officials several times, but nothing has changed. Local leaders deserve employment status just like other government officials.”
Rising Insecurity and the Call for Police Presence
Chief Thomas also appealed to the Bomi County Police Detachment and the Liberia National Police (LNP) to establish a mini police depot in Gonda Town. He cited growing insecurity driven by a rapidly increasing population, fueled by mining activities that have drawn more than two thousand inhabitants to the area.
According to Thomas, Gonda Town has become a hub for narcotic drug use and trafficking. Despite repeated community efforts to expel drug users and dealers, the problem persists.
“If nothing is done, we may have to resort to traditional methods to address this threat, but we will only act with the approval of cultural authorities,” he warned.
Local residents echoed the Chief’s concerns. “Every night we hear noise and confusion,” said Martha Kpan, a mother of four. “Young people are fighting, smoking drugs, and stealing from people’s farms. We need police here to help us.”
Another resident, Daniel Tumbay, added, “The chiefs are doing their best to keep the peace, but how can they move from place to place without pay? Even attending meetings is a struggle because they have no transport or allowance.”
Hopes for Government Action Under President Boakai
The Sub-Chief expressed optimism that President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration will recognize the plight of local leaders and ensures their inclusion on the payroll, providing much-needed support for chiefs who work without compensation.
A Broader County Concern
Thomas’ plea reflects a broader issue in Bomi County, where unpaid local leaders struggle to perform their duties effectively. At the same time, communities like Gonda Town face growing security threats that demand stronger government intervention and more visible law enforcement.
Local observers say that addressing these concerns is not just about fairness for local chiefs but about building stronger governance structures and safeguarding rural communities from drugs and violence.
