22/05/2024
WONOKAY VOWS TO STAND FOR MOTORCYCLISTS IN NO-GO-ZONE CRISIS
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Defense Torbor Tee Wonokay says the government of Liberia will be compelled to pay attention to the plights of motorcyclists in Monrovia.
He vows to stand with motorcyclists in their quest to ensure the no-go zone imposed by government is lifted.
Recently, a group of motorcyclists under the banner, Concerned Motorcyclists and Tri-Cyclists Advocacy Movement engaged Tee Wonokay, seeking his intervention after the Liberian government, through the Liberia National Police prevented cyclists and kekeh riders from running in central Monrovia and other places.
The government also listed several requirements including insurance, driver license, helmets and reflector among others which the motorcyclists must meet before being allowed to ply the major streets of Monrovia or the no-go-zone.
But speaking during a press conference on Monday, the Chairperson of the Kekeh Riders Association Ousman Ansu said the motor and tri-cyclists are resisting the no-go zone restriction because the requirements listed by the government of Liberia are too difficult for each motorcyclist or tri-cyclist to afford.
Ansu indicated that the requirements totaling $250 is an attempt by the government to deny them the right to life, given the exorbitant fees associated with the basic fees.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Concern Motorcyclist and Tri-Cyclists Advocacy Movement Claudius Yeedel claimed that the restriction imposed on them by government is bogus and a strategy by some elements in government to extort money and hijack their motorcycles upon an attempt to ply the streets.
He said the insurance companies that the government has contracted for the vehicle insurance scheme cannot underwrite their liabilities when there was accident, whether it was kekeh, motorbike or a car.
According to Claudius, motor and tri-cyclists pay taxes to government and abide by the law, but they are being marginalized and treated as criminals and nonhumans in their own country.
Meanwhile, upon hearing all these, FOHRD-Liberia Executive Director Tee Wonokay said preventing a certain group of people from moving into certain areas was a clear violation of their right to movement as enshrined in article 13 of the Liberian constitution.
Wonokay said he will begin the struggle for the cyclists with a dialogue with the requisite agencies of government. He promised to write the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police about how the no-go zone restriction could be lifted.
According to Torbor Wonokay, a failure of the government to listen to the cry of the cyclists, a lawsuit will be the final option.
