The veteran Liberian journalist and an alumnus of the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation at the University of Liberia, Mr. Jonathan Paye-Layleh, has held a day-long meeting with commercial motorcyclists in Lao Chiefdom, in Nimba County, encouraging them remain law-abiding and avoid the use of violence as an alternative to finding redress.
A citizen of the chiefdom, Mr. Paye-Layeh told the “Say No to Violence” meeting, which was held in the administrative town of Bunadin, that he was moved by the maturity and good deportment of the motorcyclists to organize the forum in order to recognize and appreciate their assistance to the community.
The journalist said actions by motorcyclists, including attacking and destroying facilities such as police stations, public transport vehicles and company assets out of dissatisfaction in other parts of the country are counter-productive to maintaining the peace of Liberia.
And so he was pleased that bike riders in the Lao area have always maintained a peaceful posture in the discharge of their duties.
In appreciation Mr. Paye-Layleh donated one hundred US dollars toward the upkeep of the motorcyclists’ office in Bunadin and pledged to identify with them more in the coming months.
In remarks, the president of the Lao Motorcyclists Union, Josephus Yarkpah, assured the journalist of their firm commitment to remaining a community of peaceful business people trying to earn a living while helping the needy.
The motorcycle taxi riders pledged to join Mr. Paye-Layleh in his next similar “Say No to Violence” meeting to be held with motorcyclists in the nearby chiefdom of Zahn in the coming weeks.
Due to bad roads, motorcycling is the only source of transportation in many parts of the vast region.
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