Liberia’s National Police have arrested scores of residents of Jalloh Shop Community along the Pipeline Road, Paynesville, following protest over demand for electricity.
The residents placed a roadblock on the main route from Jalloh Shop Community to other places, causing several vehicles to remain in a queue for hours.
The residents placed specific reference to National Port Authority Managing Director, Bill Twehway, whom they alleged is benefiting from electricity while they remain in darkness.
They complained that the lack of electricity has resulted to them using commercial current which is too costly for them.
However, their action who was deemed unlawful by the police who arrested several of the protesters and taken away to unknown destinations.
According to frontpageafricaonline.com, the protest caused a serious delay to many users of the road.
Daniel Deshield, District Coordinator of Montserrado County told frontpageafrica.com that the citizens concern is ‘cardinal,’ because the hydro tension line of the Liberia Electricity Corporation passes through the district and residents are not benefiting from electricity.
“This same district also hosts the site for the waste management program, in Wein Town and that government should come to the rescue of residents.
Deshield said the residents were peaceful while staging the protest and he sees no reason while police will arrest them for speaking out.
“They were peaceful and their action did not lead to any casualty, but we are surprise to see officers of the LNP arresting them,” Deshield noted.
“Every citizens must be treated equally and no one man is better than the other.”
He expressed frustration over the fact that the community also hosts the pipeline for water supply to Monrovia when it lacks pipe-borne and electricity.
Another resident, Moses Mator said they were disappointed while few people were enjoying electricity comfort while several others remain in darkness.
“This is total discrimination and we cannot bear it any longer. We are calling on President Weah attention to our plight,” Mator stated.
Mato said, in spite of the “arrest and intimidation” by LNP, residents will continue coming out until President Weah take an action to address their plights.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
