The former City Mayor of Sinoe County, Amos Tarpeh, has expressed his intention to contest a seat in the National Legislature of Liberia.

Mr. Tarpeh said he intends to occupy the Greenville District seat in the national legislature. His supporters said he declared his intention in the US where he presently resides.

Addressing hundreds of Sinoe citizens at a Political Rally in Philadelphia, P.A. over the weekend, Tarpeh challenged Sinoeans to wake up to the challenges of nation building by laying new foundations for reconciliation, unity, peace and socio-economic development.

His supporters quoted him as saying that as Liberia recovers from the civil crisis, the time has come for Sinoe County to play a major role in the building of a new Liberia. "We are prepared to work with our people in rebuilding our county and Liberia; we are returning home to join political process, we are returning home to provide leadership for our people; we are returning home to help Sinoe and Liberia move once again." He called on the people of Sinoe to give "this well experienced politician an opportunity to serve us in the national legislature." Mr. Tarpeh conceded that the challenges facing the people of Sinoe and Liberia are enormous, but added, "There is no challenge that a united, committed and dedicated people cannot face" and emphasized that "our people need a leadership." "They need someone to lead them through these difficult times, and we are prepared now than ever before to provide leadership, with your support, we will win," the legislative Aspirant said.

He called himself a "unifier", claiming to know the problems facing Liberians. "I live through the problems and I am in the better position to work with our people in finding workable solutions to those problems in order to make Sinoe and Liberia move once again." Tarpeh added, "We must make Sinoe County relevant again in the National Legislature, we must make the voices of people heard, send men there, and send me there." The aspirant who was in the country recently prior to declaring his intention said the visit afforded him the opportunity to hold consultations with a cross section of people.

He pointed out that at "every discussion our people complained of the lack of leadership and the need for me to return home from exile." Tarpeh said, "As I look in their eyes, I felt further energized to answer to their call." "They have agreed that I return home now to provide the much needed leadership and so I will." Also speaking during the ceremony, former Executive Director for Telecommunications Policy at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Mr. Kai G. Wleh said the building of democratic institutions in Liberia is essential to moving Liberia from war to peace.

By so doing, Mr. Wleh noted: "We must elect experienced and qualified individuals who are committed to reconciling the people of Sinoe County." Amos Tarpeh once served as Mayor of the City of Greenville, Sinoe. He also represented the county in the Transitional Legislative Assembly prior to the 1997 elections.