By : Foday Darzangbo Sesay.
Protest In Western Liberia Leads Several Wounded
Commercial drivers across Western Liberia have begun a go-slow action in protest of what they describe as alleged excessive taxation and constant harassment by the Liberia National Police highway patrol.
According to several drivers, they are being unfairly issued traffic tickets costing over 50 United States dollars, including sharp increase from the previous 10-dollar fines for minor violations.
The drivers also claimed that they have been targeted for operating defective vehicles, which they believe is unjust.
Additionally, they argued that their vehicles can not remain in good condition due to the poor state of the roads, which they say constantly damage their vehicles.
” It is unfair to penalize us for defective vehicles when the roads are so bad where we normally plide on daily”, the noted.
Also speaking, Dello Peaf, Vice President for Administration of the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia (FRTUL), acknowledged the concerns and said the union is actively engaging both the drivers and the police in hopes of finding a resolution.
He emphasized that the situation, if not quickly addressed, will severely affect passengers traveling between Western Liberia and Monrovia.
