By Laurina B. Lormia
The Ministry of Transport has disclosed that the Supreme Motorcyclists Transport Union of Liberia (SMTUL), is not a registered union under its authority.
In response to an ongoing protest led by the group on Monday March, 3 the Ministry clarified that it does not recognize the organization and that it has no official standing to operate as a transport union.
The Ministry urged members of the group and all motorcyclists operating under its banner to desist from falsely representing themselves, warning that such actions could lead to embarrassment and possible legal repercussions.
The Ministry emphasized that only legally registered unions are permitted to engage with authorities on behalf of motorcyclists. It encouraged all riders to seek proper legal channels for addressing their grievances.
On February 24, the leadership of the Merged Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Unions of Liberia (M-FOMTUL) denounced the actions of some motorcyclists who vandalized police booths and dismantled checkpoints around Catholic Junction and other parts of the city.
M-FOMTUL President John Kenyor, clarified that, the union was not involved in planning or executing these acts, urging members to remain law-abiding.
Kenyor called on the Government of Liberia, through the Liberia National Police (LNP), to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.
Over the past months, motorcyclists have become increasingly vocal in their demands for better working conditions, safety measures, and the lifting of restrictions on their operations, following recent restrictions from operating in certain areas of Monrovia.
The measure has been met with strong opposition from motorcyclists, who argue that it unfairly limits their ability to earn a living and leaves them vulnerable to police harassment, resulting in regular fights between cyclists and police officers around the country.
Many motorcyclists have further argued that the government’s policies disproportionately affect their livelihoods, leading to yesterday’s protest that drew hundreds of motorcyclists across the country.
On Monday, March 3, hundreds of cyclists, claiming to be members of the Supreme Motorcycle Transport Union of Liberia (SUMTUL), staged a protest calling on the government of Liberia to lift the unconstitutional ban imposed on them.
According to SUMTUL, the Government of Liberia has subjected them to actual poverty; their motorbikes have been unlawfully impounded after obtaining license, insurance and all documents requested by the Government.
SUMTUL added that, due to the economic hardship and high unemployment rate in the country, they decided to create job opportunities for themselves by riding motorbikes to sustain themselves and their families, as the government cannot employ all its citizens.
“You can’t collect money from us in the name of taxes and then placed a ban on us because of few bad apples. We want to have you acknowledged that; crimes are not transferrable under our laws,” they narrated.
“Additionally, we believe that as a trained professional, you should be able to pursue the perpetrators rather than generalizing and placing everyone in one category. Rampant corruption, harassment, intimidation, lawlessness, and abuse of power have become endemic under the Gregory Coleman administration.
“The No-Go Zone restriction is causing serious problem and chaos in our Country. We want to have the general public informed realistically that, some of our bikes that were unlawfully arrested by the Liberia National Police have been distributed among government associates,” the group mentioned.
“Release our unlawfully impounded motorcycles, or refund the US$56,000,000 that was collected from us in the name of taxes. We demand justice and accountability for these funds, which were taken from us under the pretense of revenue collection.”
“Motorcyclists have faced brutality, rights violations, and exploitation under Gregory Coleman’s regime. Instead of focusing on programs and policies to improve the lives of cyclists one of the most marginalized groups in Liberia, government officials have prioritized personal enrichment, benefiting themselves and their families,” they stressed.
“The Government of Liberia cannot continue to treat us this way after collecting a significant portion of revenue from us through the Ministry of Transport in a short period. It has now been ten days, yet we have not received a proper response from the government regarding the unlawful arrest and impoundment of over 700 motorcycles,” the protested lamented.
