Monrovia, Liberia – Checkpoints along the Lofa, Ganta to Monrovia route appear to be toxic for commercial drivers and commuters as Liberia National Police Traffic Division, Officers of the Liberia Immigration Service and Forestry Development Authority reportedly harassed vehicle operators.
An independent investigation conducted by the People Newspaper reveals the consistent unlawful harassment of Drivers carryout by Law enforcement officers.
The report established that members of the joint security assigned to various checkpoints along the Ganta to Monrovia route normally extort money from vehicle operators forcibly instead of enforcing traffic/safety laws.
According to some of the vehicle operators who plead on account of anonymity stated”The least they expect from us at these checkpoints is Hundred Liberian Dollars, giving them $50LRD Sounds like insult to them”
The Drivers further emphasized that the suppression from the joint security assigned at these places in the counties continue to have negative consequences on passengers through high transportation fare.
“We sometimes overcharge, at the end, we have to buy gas and spend close to a thousand Dollars just on officers at these checkpoints” the unnamed driver indicated.
In as much as some of the Drivers haven’t given concrete reasons behind the harassment, it is believe that some commucial drivers plying the Ganta, Lofa road often fall prey to police bribery for several factors including improper documents, overloading amongst others.
The extortion is followed with a compromise or traffic laws violation.
By: Alphanso G. Kalama
