—- Changes Gear from ‘No Go Zone’, To Procedures Direction
By Taisiah Merfee
IPNEWS: Again, the Government of Liberia have made evident an old adage that say ‘Da Liberia Here, Nothing Will Happen’.
Hope of well-meaning Liberians to see the restoration of sanctity to the oldest political capital in Africa, Monrovia, was dashed Thursday, when Police inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman swiftly made a U-turn to the much-publicized imposition of a ‘no go zone’, for Motorcyclist and Tricyclist in the Central Monrovia.
The twist by Police inspector General Coleman, comes barely 24hrs after Motorcyclist spokesman Trokon Reginald Gray, AKA Yellow Machine threatened unspecified actions including a pre-empty protest for Monday, May 13, ahead of the Liberia National Police expected May 15 enforcement.
The “no go zone” regarding public safety had been mountain task for both past and present administrations of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
The Weah and Sirleaf governments signed repeated Memorandum of Understanding with Motorcyclist for the enforcement of the ‘no go zone’ restriction, yet they have all failed.
In January of 2024, upon taking over the helm of authority, President Joseph announced the adoption of a ‘safety policy’ by the Unity Party government to safeguard public safety, including the imposition of a ‘no go zone’ for commercial motorcyclist effective May 15, 2024.
Amidst several protests and appeal from cyclists, opposition political parties, including the Chairman of the ruling Unity Party Rev Luther Tarpeh, and Vice President Jerimiah Koung, authorities of the Liberia national police (LNP) have succumbed to reversed the ‘no go zone’ restriction expected to go into effect May 15.
World Bank, the World Health Organization and international road safety groups have reported that Liberia is among countries with some of the highest rates of road accidents in Africa, with many of them involving motorcycles.
One of the reports said: “According to a WHO data published in 2020, Road “Traffic Accidents Deaths in Liberia reached 1,920 or 5.70% of total deaths”.
Another report shows the “Percentage of Road Crash Fatalities and Injuries in Economically Productive Age Groups (15 – 64 years): Approximately 61%.”
Police inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman at a news conference on Thursday, May 9, 2024, with six days to the May 15 deadline stated that decision is now reversed due to several appeals from the public including the student community and Liberia vice president Jeremiah Koung.
According to Police Inspector Coleman, laugh-out misconception in several quarters of the government abandoning the Motorcyclist after a heavily contested elections, IG Coleman said as part of the duties of the police is to prioritize the safety of all and motorcyclist were most vulnerable for which the police opted to ensure some public safety measures.
He further stated in keeping with several meetings held ahead of the ‘np go zone’ enforcement, it is now agreed that motorcyclist will adhere to the terms of traffic regulations, including being full attired with head helmets for rider and passenger, reflector jackets and safety boots, and fully registered with the ministry of transport.
Col. Coleman said the measure will be actively enforce for only three months for cyclists using the ELWA road through Sinkor to Freeport, thereafter the measure will be enforce to all in cyclist cross Liberia.
For his part, John Kenyor president of the Liberia motorcyclist and tricycle union, said he welcome the decision of the police and will work with his colleagues in making sure they
The decision by the LNP and the Motorcyclist Union came hours after Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung reached a formal agreement with police for commercial motorcyclists to ply principal streets in Monrovia.
The agreement calls for straight adherence to all safety measures by commercial motorcyclists nationwide.
Preliminary notice from the Liberia National Police (LNP) suggested a ban for commercial motorcyclists on the principal streets of Monrovia beginning May 15, 2024.
However, the latest intervention by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung will now allow motorcyclists to access the restricted streets but must comply with traffic and safety laws, according to LNP
The new agreement was reached Thursday, May 9, 2024, in a meeting with the leadership of two commercial motorcycle groups and police authorities.
LNP was represented by Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and convened by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung at his capitol building office.
VP Koung after hearing from the motorcyclists and the police appealed to police authorities to relax the ban, but with the agreement that all motorcyclists plying these restricted main streets carry one passenger with both the rider and the co-rider wearing safety gear including helmets, and must be above 18 years of age.
Vice President Koung said his intervention which was requested by the Unity Party Chairman is meant to ease a growing tension between the Liberia National Police and commercial motorcyclists nationwide on the ban preventing motorcyclists from accessing main streets in Monrovia.
Speaking following the meeting, IG Coleman thanked the Vice President for the intervention; while explaining that the concern of the police has always been the protection of lives and properties.
He said the lack of a culture of safety with the motorcyclists being the most vulnerable triggered the police’s recent action on the proposed ban in question.
The leadership of two the unions, the Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Unions of Liberia (FOMTUL) and the National Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Association of Liberia (NAFOMTAL) also hailed the VP for his timely intervention and called on their members nationwide to fully adhere to the new agreement as appealed for by the Vice President.
