Liberia - MTA Operates In Ruins Under Boakai

APPEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the 55th National Legislature, the Managing Director of the Monrovia Transport Authority (MTA) boss Minister Sirleaf Tyler told the honorable lawmakers that he and his deputies are operating from “a garage”. Asserting that the past administration of former President George M. Weah left the MTA offices in ruins. The Minister was invited by the lawmakers amid extreme transportation problems in the country since the imposition of the litany of requirements and restrictions on commercial motorcyclists by the Liberia National Police (LNP).

IT CAN BE RECALLED that the LNP took the decision on Thursday, May 9, 2024, through its Inspector General, Hon. Gregory O. W. Coleman following a meeting with the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Jeremiah K. Koung, and Heads of the Federation of motorcycle and tricycle unions at the Capitol Building, in Monrovia, decided on restricting motorcyclists plying from ELWA to Broad Street if they did not meet the following:

~That all bikes must be registered at the Ministry of Transport and insured;

~That all motorcyclists are to operate with only one passenger along with helmets worn.

~That motorbikes at all times ply the streets with reflective jackets, protective shoes, and a pair of view mirrors.

~That all bike operators must be Eighteen (18) years and above.

These measures, according to the LNP, are designed to reduce risks posed to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. That these measures are also necessary to properly identify riders and thereby help reduce crimes associated with the business.

RESISTANCE TO THE RESTRICTIONS has remained a prominent issue as commercial bikers are complaining that the new measures have caused undue hardship on them for several reasons: 1) Fees associated with the exercise; 2) Restrictions to where they can ply, and 3) The one passenger rule undercuts their daily income. For ordinary Liberians including civil servants, other public and private sector employees, students, business people, and ordinary people, transportation has become a daily nightmare. This is because motorcycle transportation is the most convenient for public transport in the absence of a structured and efficient public transportation system and service. It is for this reason that Min. Tyler was cited by the House of Representatives to provide clarity on what the institution is doing to alleviate the problem.

ACCORDING TO MIN. Tyler, the NTA doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the problem. He disclosed that in addition to the rundown offices of the NTA, there are only five out of twenty-nine functional buses at the institution. Considering the population of Monrovia and its immediate environment, the five buses cannot address the transportation problems caused by the LNP policies on commercial motorcycles. This discussion confirms critics of the government's decision to venture on a major policy measure without first conducting a comprehensive study of the situation to ensure the unintended socioeconomic consequences of the policy are planned for to reduce the negative impact of the policy backlash.

MEANWHILE, unlike policymakers who are untouched by the consequences of the knee-jerk policy, ordinary citizens and foreign residents remain the victims of the poor planning of the LNP. Observers and critics have since pointed out that this exercise requires proper planning with a cross-section of relevant government line ministries and agencies, to ensure the good intent of the policy is achieved. President Biakai, as with all the failing institutions he has set up so far, remains mute on the way forward, providing no clear direction to his officials. Even worse, all this comes on the heels of allegations of corruption and financial misappropriation across government in the tone of over $23m.