Buchanan – Senator Jonathon Kaipay has dedicated a modern motorcyclist Union office worth USD $ 40,000 in Buchanan City.
By Saykpepo Innis- OK FM Correspondent
At the dedication ceremony during the weekend, Senator Jonathon Kaipay said the office is a self-initiative under taken by him, and not legislative project.
The Liberty Party lawmaker told citizens that motorcyclists of the Bassa-speaking County contributed immensely to his campaign in 2014 although he, at the time, did not give them “any money”, something he said had inspired him to pay them back with the self-funded project.
“During my campaign, these guys bought their own gas and turned out in huge number to support me with a mindset that when I win they will get an office that will be well finished,” Kaipay said, recalling the mammoth support he enjoyed form the motorbike taxi riders.
“There is a scripture that says ‘work while it is day, when night cometh you won’t be able’ and so I believe in that scripture that’s why I made the decision to look back to these boys.”
He announced his collaboration with the joint security of the county to help train commercial motorcyclists of Grand Bassa County. The training would focus on safety; something he says will significantly help reduce the rate of accidents in the county.
“There are over 1,500 young guys riding motorbikes just to help their families and as such you need to be careful and so I will soon be organizing a workshop for you guys,” the Senator noted.
The Grand Bassa County Senator, who later turned over the keys of the office to heads of the Bassa motorcyclist Union, urged them to properly maintain the facility, stating that they will be accountable for any damage that may occur at the office.Meanwhile, motorcyclists in Buchanan city have lauded Senator Kaipey for the construction of the modern office space, promising to keep it decent, including its surroundings.
Albert Chie, Pro Temp of the Liberian Senate who also graced the occasion, said that the Grand Bassa Senator has proven to be a social worker and not a politician.
He claimed that there are many politicians who make “strong campaign promises” but do not fulfill those promises and sometimes “they forget about those that put them into power until another election”.
“A social worker cares about his people and so when a social worker joins politics, he doesn’t behave like other don’t-care politicians. Senator Kaipay is not even closer to election but is giving back to the society due to the heart he has for you the citizens,” Senator Chie, an influential leader of the Liberian Senate asserted.
“The lawmaker has played his part but your part is to maintain this place; he has put in office furniture and you only need to go there and do your work but care is what matters.”
Eddie Henry, Chairman of the Liberia Motorcyclists Union chapter in the County, praised Senator Kaipay for implementing the project, which he said has seen them own an office for the first time since the formation of the union.
“We’ve been crying for office in this county; we wrote all of the past lawmakers and even some of the new lawmakers to help us but they played deaf ears to us,” Henry claimed, promising to properly maintain the facility.
“We are going to take good care of this place because this is a dream come true for us as leaders of the union “.
Motorcycle riders were later seen in their numbers celebrating with the Senator for the construction of their office.
The newly built headquarters of the commercial bikers will enable the local administration of the LMTU effectively coordinates the affairs of the union instead of carrying files under their arms in the streets in order to manage members’ activities.
Leaders of the union in Buchanan have often been seen registering motorbikes on the streets, but with the newly constructed office, their activities won’t be done outside anymore.
