Liberia: Police IG Coleman issues Stern Warning to Commercial Pempem and Kehkeh riders in Monrovia - FrontPageAfrica

Source: Front Page Africa
Author: Willie N. Tokpah

Monrovia -- The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Gregory Coleman, has thrown a challenge to motorcyclists intending to protest against the announced restriction on them, if they feel entitled to resist the law.

By Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231

Speaking Wednesday, May 1, when he inducted former Reporters Association of Liberia President, Cecelia G. Clarke as first female Spokesperson of the LNP, Coleman said there is room for negotiation, if their concerns are legitimate than challenging the no-go-zone restriction.

"We are concerned about the motorcycle issue in this country, because behind each rider is a real person with family and other responsibilities who pays for service to be conducted.

Coleman acknowledged the efforts of motorcyclists in transporting people from one place to another, but, however, maintained that these measures are crucial to the safety of the people they are transporting.

"To those who have stood up to come and guide them, only in the name of protest, I challenge you, if you believe the only means you can take is to go ahead and protest, I challenge you to go ahead and try. Our doors are opened for discussion and if there are legitimate concerns, we can work on that, but this lawlessness has to end, protest cannot be the only way out," Coleman stressed.

He said law and order will prevail in Liberia, going forward and anyone who tends to be undermined will be resisted.

He warned those planning to protest, that the LNP will not hesitate to institute any measure necessary to uphold law and order in Liberia.

Coleman stated that the LNP will not succumb to acts that tend to intimidate government and state security, but will ensure that peace prevails.

Moreover, the LNP has maintained that the police are concerned about crimes around the city and are putting in place measures to curb them.

Inspector Coleman emphasized that public safety remains a serious concern of the police and that his administration will not condone any act that will threaten the peace and safety of citizens and the state.

He also stressed on heavy-duty vehicles, making specific reference to mining companies whose vehicles ply from the Bomi highway to the Freeport of Monrovia.

Coleman noted that it is the responsibility of the police to protect lives and properties will not sit and allow accident to occur before taking action.

Halt will be placed on these vehicles movements until the issue of speeding vehicles is addressed, he said.

The Police Inspector General further said that though it is the right of individuals to protest, when their rights infringed on others' rights the police will come in.

Meanwhile, IG Coleman has also disclosed a plan to reinvestigate cases that the public still has subspicion about, including the three missing boys, the four auditors, and other cases.

He said all cases that citizens have had suspicion about will be investigated to the fullest.

At the same time, the Liberia National Police has inducted its first female spokesperson, Madam Cecelia Clarke replacing, Moses Carter.

Madam Clarke, who is former President of the Reporters Association of Liberia and was an employee of the Liberia Broadcasting System up to her new portfolio, is now "Unit 122", the official spokesperson of the LNP.

During her induction, Inspector Coleman said, Madam Clarke's appointment is a testament to President Boakai's commitment to gender balance in government.

During the induction ceremony on Wednesday at the LNP headquarters, Coleman said the appointment of Madam Clarke is also a testament to women's empowerment within the police force.

Coleman noted that the newly-inducted Police Spokesperson is a product of the police training academy and a trained EPS officer, whom he thinks can serve the police well.

For her part, Madam Cecelia Clarke pledged her commitment to upholding the image of the police.

Meanwhile, Madam Clarke has committed herself to remain visible and accessible to the public at all times to gain public trust.