The Liberia National Police (LNP) seems not be taking lightly its decision to restrict motorcyclists from the main streets of Monrovia and its environs, as Deputy Police Chief for Operations remains resolute on the enforcement of the law.
The reaffirmation of the LNP’s decision comes in the wake of threats from motorcyclists that they will resist the Police if there is any attempt to restrict their movement.
Nonetheless, Attorney Nelson Freeman has 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.
Addressing a news conference Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Headquarters of the LNP following the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the leadership of the Motorcycle and Tricycle Union, Freeman said the signing of the MOU is geared towards empowering the police to enforce the restriction.
“Today marks the symbolic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that was made and entered into on the 2nd of April 2024, by and thru the Liberia National Police and the merger Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia geared towards enhancing public safety and ensuring the safety of motorists,” Attorney Freeman stressed.
With the signing of the MOU, it means as of May 15, 2024 no motorcycle riders will be allowed to ply the major streets of Monrovia and its environs.
The Deputy Police Chief of Operations maintains that the measure is intended to minimize the high rate of accidents, crimes and deaths.
Over the last few years, criminals have been in the habit of using motorcycles to snatch away people’s phones, hand bags as well as facilitating armed robberies, especially at night.
“We’ve tried to get rid of the name No-go- Zone, we try to call it now the restricted areas. So we’ve jointly agreed to make the road from Freeport to Central Monrovia and all parts of Town restricted areas for motorcyclists. We also jointly agreed to consider from the ELWA Junction throughout the Tubman Boulevard and the rest of Monrovia a restricted areas for motorcyclists,” Freeman disclosed.
The Deputy Police Chief said tricycles (Keh-Keh) will be privileged to drive from Freeport to Monrovia using the Waterside corridor but will be barred from using Broad and Carey Streets.
“Those coming from the Jallah Town corridor will go through the Capital By-pass toward Benson Street or use the Buzzy Quarter corridor, passing through UN Drive to Town,” he added.
At the same time, Freeman explained that motorcyclists commuting from the Roberts International Airport Highway will be allowed to pass through the ELWA Junction, divert to the Duport Road – Red-light and onward to the Somalia Drive.
In response to the restriction, John A.F. Kenyor, President of the Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Unions of Liberia, said the restriction is in the best interest of his members.
According to him, too many of his members have died as a result of reckless driving and the lack of training on road safety signs.
“How do you expect investors to come and invest in our country if we cannot be governed by laws? So anything that has to do with public safety, I am fully part of it because we have to make sure we keep our society safe,” Kenyor said.
Meanwhile, following the signing of the MOU, a group of aggrieved commercial motorcycle riders staged a peaceful protest at several locations in Monrovia.
The protesting cyclists are resisting an attempt by the Government to restrict their movements across Monrovia and parts adjacent.
The protesting motorcyclists blocked the main streets in front of the Legislature, calling on the lawmakers to intervene.
