It seems that the May 15 deadline released by the Liberia National Police (LNP) restricting motorcyclists from the main streets of Monrovia and its environs might spark tension as the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) say they will defend the rights and survival of the motorcyclists.
CDC Chairman, Atty. Janga Kowo told newsmen on Monday, April 29, 2024 that they will also ensure that the Boakai Administration does not succeed in taking bike riders off the streets.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2023, the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Leadership of the Motorcycle and Tricycle Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for motorcyclists to leave the main streets of Monrovia and its environs.
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.
The Deputy Police Chief said the signing of the MoU is geared towards empowering the police to enforce the restriction.
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.
The Deputy Police Chief of Operations maintains that the measure is intended to minimize the high rate of accidents, crimes and deaths.
“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.
Freeman disclosed that 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 Union 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.
However, the CDC Chairman 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.”
