By Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — In a collaborative effort to protect life, and boost road safety, the Progressive Youth of Nimba, a local youth-led humanitarian group, partnered with Afcons Infrastructure Limited—an Indian multinational construction giant working with ArcelorMittal-Liberia in Nimba County on Friday, December 5, 2025 hand out safety gear to over 200 local motorbike riders in Sanniquellie City.
The initiative aimed at curbing traffic injuries saw each cyclist receiving essential safety materials, including reflective vests, goggles, and bottles, among others.
Speaking at the event, representatives from both organizations stressed the importance of protective measures on Nimba’s roads. “Safety is not just a precaution, but it is a necessity,” a spokesperson noted.
The gesture underscores the duo’s commitment to community welfare amid growing concerns over motorcycle accidents in the region.
The institutions warned cyclists to prioritize prevention and strictly follow road safety rules to minimize the risk of traffic injuries. This includes wearing helmets, obeying traffic signals, staying visible, and being mindful of their surroundings.
The Progressive Youth of Nimba’s initiative aims to enhance the safety of riders operating in a high-risk environment, highlighting the significant role they play in local transportation despite their business not being fully legalized.
The donation underscores the importance of proper safety equipment, which research consistently shows significantly reduces the risk and severity of injuries in the event of a crash.
The motorcyclists received the essential equipment with gratitude, promising to use it wisely. They described the donation as ‘timely’ and appealed to others to follow suit, highlighting that some of their colleagues still need similar support.
While comprehensive, centralized data for all motorcycle accidents in Nimba County for 2025 is not publicly available in a single statistical report, media outlets have reported several tragic incidents throughout the year.
Key reported incidents in Nimba County in 2025 include:
March 16: The Chief Imam of Nimba County, Mohammed B. Kieta, died in a motorcycle accident along the Ganta-Gbarnga highway.
July 30: A fatal accident near Tappita resulted in the deaths of four people, including a police officer, a rape suspect, and a survivor. This incident occurred during a special prayer holiday.
In 2025, motorcyclists and commercial tricycles (“kekeh” riders) were identified as accounting for the highest rate of road accidents in Liberia. The Liberia National Police (LNP) reported 138 total road-related incidents in July 2025 alone, with various motorcycle and tricycle collisions being frequent.
