By Lincoln G. Peters
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia, Aug. 2, 2026 – Mines and Energy Minister Matenokay Tingban is facing growing public scrutiny following his donation of 150 new motorbikes to chiefs and elders in Nimba County, with critics calling for an investigation into the source of the funding.
Tingban, who was appointed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in October 2025, confirmed by the Senate in November, and commissioned in January 2026, made the latest donation over the weekend in Electoral District No. 9.
According to organizers, the latest 50 motorbikes were added to an earlier donation of 100, bringing the total number distributed to 150. The motorcycles are intended to facilitate the movement of chiefs during community engagement activities. The initiative has reportedly received the support of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
Images of the donation circulated widely on social media, prompting questions from members of the public about how the Minister financed the contribution.
Several commentators also alleged that the donation could amount to early political campaigning ahead of the 2029 elections, although no official determination has been made by the National Elections Commission.
Among those calling for greater transparency is Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia.
Miamen said the donation warrants investigation to establish the source of the financing.
He estimated that the value of the 150 motorcycles ranges between approximately US$105,000 and US$120,000, depending on the unit cost, and questioned whether the funds came from the Minister’s salary, private sources, or elsewhere.
Miamen also questioned Tingban’s previous record of similar donations before assuming public office and called for scrutiny of the assets, income, and liabilities he declared to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission before taking office.
He urged both the Office of the Ombudsman and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter, arguing that the public deserves to know the source of the funds and whether the donation complies with the Code of Conduct for public officials.
Political commentator Togar Alexander Beldel also questioned the donation, describing it as what he believes could constitute early political campaigning supported by the Vice President.
Beldel further called for stronger lifestyle audits of public officials and greater scrutiny of the sources of wealth used to finance large public donations.
Meanwhile, Price Fahnbulleh urged President Boakai to suspend the Minister pending clarification of the funding source.
Fahnbulleh estimated the value of the donation at approximately US$142,500, based on an estimated cost of US$950 per motorcycle, and called on both the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the General Auditing Commission to investigate the source of the funds.
As of press time, Minister Tingban had not publicly responded to the allegations or the calls for an investigation. Nor have the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman, or the General Auditing Commission announced any formal inquiry into the matter.
The allegations and criticisms cited in this report reflect the views of the individuals quoted. No evidence has been publicly presented establishing wrongdoing by the Minister, and no investigative body has announced findings regarding the source of the funds.
