Monrovia – Document obtained from the Ministry of Transport shows that the Congress of Democratic Change of Senator George Weah and All Liberian Party of businessman Benoni Urey have refused to register their vehicles and motorcycles brought in the country for their respective political campaign.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, [email protected]
In the ALP, there is only one vehicle registered with several dozens of vehicles and motorcycles only carrying the party’s stickers.
The political party vehicle registration record shows that 17 vehicles of the Coalition of Congress of Democratic Change (CDC) are billed but have not completed registration.
Last Wednesday at least one of the vehicles owned by the CDC was towed by the Ministry of Transport, and many supporters went to plead for the release of the vehicle.
One of the supporters was in support of the Ministry’s action, saying “Our party can’t be seeking state power and fail to pay taxes.”
The records from the Ministry of Transport show that none of the 35 vehicles unveiled by the CDC for campaign has been registered with the ministry.
The CDC displayed its preparedness for the campaign showcasing 35 vehicles and 300 motorbikes of which none is registered by the Ministry of Transport.
The Secretary General of CDC Janga Kowo said the vehicles and motorbikes are insured but registrations haven’t been completed.
“Most of our cars are insured but we are still processing the registration, we are just shocked that the ministry will only target us and exclude other political parties, because we are not the only one plying without license plate.”
For the ALP, only one of the vehicles is registered and it’s in the A6 category license plates.
All the ALP vehicles are plying the streets of Monrovia and other parts of the country without any license plate, according to the Ministry of Transport.
The party’s chairman Theodore Momo said he couldn’t respond to any allegation ordering that FPA should write whatsoever it wants to write.
“If we haven’t done registration, what does the press have to do with that?
If we haven’t done registration let the Ministry of Transport write us, we have nothing to say to FrontPage, write anything you want to write, we have nothing to say, we are going on with our campaign that’s all I can say,” he added.
The ALP chairman further said, “If we have problem, it is our problem not the media, let the press find other news to write and avoid our vehicle registration process.”
The Alternative National Congress headed by former Coca-Cola head, Alexander Cummings, chairman said all of their vehicles are registered including their motorbikes.
“Look at our vehicles, all have licensed plates because we are law abiding, our standard bearer has worked in cooperate setting for long, so our bikes, cars even the building we are in as a party headquarter is insured.”
The ruling Unity Party (UP) has registered only five vehicles according to the Ministry, something in the head of press Mo Ali has denied.
He said all of the UP vehicles and motorbikes are registered, adding that they are also insured.
“All of our vehicles are registered, as far as I know the Ministry is aware, because we bought our vehicles in 2017 and we did the registration of everything before it could ply the streets, including the motorbikes,” he said.
But the ministry said only five of the 22 vehicles are registered excluding the motorbikes.
Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, according to the Ministry, has registered only 36 of its fleet – 23 vehicles and 13 motorcycles.
It can be recalled that the Liberty Party made a show of its 75 brand new vehicles and 300 motorcycles.
Benjamin Sanvee, Chairman of the Party could neither confirm nor deny the records but promised to have given results on its fleet system at the party.
Former security advisor H. Boima Fahnbulleh United People Party (UPP) has the highest motorbikes registered among parties and 46 motorbikes on draft.
Draft is when a bill has been submitted to a party but that party has not made payment to complete registration.
The Liberia National Police recently reminded the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) headed by Simeon Freeman to register its automobiles.
The LNP communication reads in part as follows:
“We present our compliments and best wishes as we gear towards a peaceful 2017 General and Presidential Election.”
In accordance with title 38 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the Republic of Liberia dated May 9, 1972 and approved October 17, 1972, the Liberia National Police wishes to remind you that all motor vehicles operating in the Republic of Liberia are to be duly registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver.
“In view thereof, we ask that your party registers its vehicle(s) to avoid embarrassment before or during the campaign process.”
At a press conference last Tuesday, Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman disclosed that the LNP is expected to arrest any vehicle plying the streets without license.
He said it is regrettable that those who seeking power will refuse to abide by the law.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Samuel Wlue described the failure of the political parties to complete registration as unlawful.
He said the ministry is working with the Liberian National Police to enforce the vehicle and registration law.
Wlue said the license plates are prepared and are at the one stop shop which can be purchased anytime.
“We are prepared for election, this is a very big problem they want to put the country in, you can’t say you want to run a nation and refuse to pay your taxes.”
“No serious political party will violate the law, it is ridiculous, they all wishing to swear to the law but are refusing to abide by law.