Liberia’s Police Inspector General, Gregory O. W. Coleman has warned would-be protesters against lawlessness, stressing that the police will not tolerate any form of disorder.
Addressing a brief news conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 when he announced the new Police Spokesperson at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP) in Monrovia, Coleman disclosed that some motorcyclists are planning to protest against the enforcement of a “No-Go Zones” restriction.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2023, the LNP announced that all motorcyclists and tricycles will be restricted from the main streets of Monrovia beginning May 15, 2024 in keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Leadership of the Motorcycle and Tricycle Union.
Following the signing ceremony, Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations, Nelson Freeman stressed that the LNP remains resolute on the enforcement of the law and will not compromise.
Freeman sent a caveat to commercial motorcyclists, who are planning to resist the enforcement of No-Go-Zones to desist as the police will not relent in its enforcement.
Additionally, Mr. John A.F. Kenyor, President of the Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia, added that the restriction is in the best interest of his members.
According to Kenyor, many of his members have died as a result of reckless driving and the lack of training on road safety signs.
Contrary to the restriction order, the Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Janga Kowo told newsmen on Monday, April 29, 2024 that the Boakai-Koung Leadership does not recognize the socio-economic contributions motorcyclists bring to the country’s economy as such, they will resist the abuse of motorcyclists’ rights.
“The motorbike riders are part of the country’s economy and a responsible government will not use restrictions or regulations to remove them from the main streets. This is not the time; when the time is right, the motorcyclists will leave the streets,” he added.
Kowo said the CDC remains committed to the motorcyclists, adding that “The current attack on those bike riders by chasing them out of the streets by the Liberia National Police did not happen under the CDC.”
However, speaking in a rather touch mood, this is what Coleman had to say:
“This lawlessness has to end. To those who are trying to abuse immunity by inciting people when your actions cause the breach of the peace, we, as law enforcers will enforce the law; so if you have ideas our doors are open. If your idea is better than what we are proposing as it relates to the restriction from now to May 15, we still have two week we are willing to sit down with you. If your ideas are better, we will incorporate it but if you feel that you can threaten with protest because that’s the only thing you can understand, we are guaranteeing you that law and order will prevail in this country.”
The Police Chief added that protest is not the only way out but rather to bring in better ideas that could be incorporated.
Coleman said no one will be allowed to threaten the state because according to him “We have the duty to protect every citizen. If the police feel that there are measures to put into place to safeguard the integrity of the state, then those measures will be upheld.”
He challenged everyone who has decided to lead a protest in the need of standing with motorcyclists to desist.
“My doors are open to bring your ideas to the table and let’s see if it is better than ours we will take it,” Coleman stated.
He mentioned that, if anybody feels that protest is the way then nobody will be intimidated in any way because the Police have a duty to protect citizens of the Republic of Liberia.
