Motorcyclists Appeal To Police

The Liberia Motorcyclist Union (LMU) has appealed to the Liberia National Police (LNP) to adjust the 10 pm regulation imposed on commercial motorcyclists plying the streets of Monrovia. The LMU wants the police to adjust the time from 10 pm to 12 am to enables its members generate money.

LMU President General, Kutuku Sheriff, told a news conference recently in Monrovia that the Union cannot challenge the government, but to plead for reconsideration. He said nobody or group of people can challenge constituted authority, especially on issues that border on national security.

Sheriff said his members were not only meeting their daily needs through plying bikes in the streets, but also contributing to the growth of the transport sector. His statement seems to run contrary to the Union’s Secretary General, who called on commercial motorcyclists to disobey the police regulation.

But the police responded to the threat that it would deal drastically with any violator (s) of the sanction as the decision to impose the 10pm deadline was reached following series of meetings held with the Union.

Montserrado and Grand Gedeh counties Representatives Munah Pelham and Alphonso Gaye had earlier pleaded with the police to adjust the time to 12 or 1 am, but the LPN ignored the appeal.

The restriction on bike riders was imposed on 12 November, 2012 after police reports linked the involvement commercial motorcyclists to most crimes being committed in Monrovia and its environs, particularly during night time. Since the regulation was put into place, crimes such as armed robberies, burglaries and others seem to have dropped considerably; reports TKS.