December 8, 2021
BY: MOHAMED SAHR
Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority has on Monday 6th December 2021 identified fifty-four street in the Freetown municipality at the start of the Operation Decongest Freetown for easy flow of vehicles and human traffic.
Augustine Kai Tongi, Director of Sierra Leone Road Safety and Enforcement said the initiative of Operation Decongest Freetown; came about as a concern from stakeholders and citizens. He mentioned that this process is rooted from the recent fire disaster in Wellington PMB, which led to the death of many Sierra Leoneans.
He said one of the factors that sparked up that dreadful incident was as result abandoned vehicles and illegal garages within the perimeters of Wellington, which stuck tens of thousands of people at that material time.
“decongesting those fifty-four streets we have identified; some of which are being actually use as places of illegal garages and that has moved authorities to ensure these streets are clear,’’ he said.
Augustine Kai Tongi revealed that the consistency of the operation hinges on every meaningful Sierra Leonean.
He urged everybody to abide by the laws and to refrain from parking vehicles on streets where pedestrians use to walk on.
He reaffirmed that section 120 of the 2007 Road Safety Acts clearly spells out the penalty if defaulters are found liable of an offence.
Augustine Kai Tongi said these laws serve as a deterrent for defaulters, having paid the prescribe money for violating the law; it would prompt others not to think of doing the same.
He noted that compliance is the building pillar of the operation going on.
“This operation would gradually minimize the alarming rate of accidents within the Western Area,’’ he added.
Christian Paul Forma, President of Sierra Leone Motor Vehicle Maintenance Association said the exercise is geared towards achieving the free flow of traffic, and to further eradicate some of the challenges pedestrians are facing from thieves especially at night.
He noted that the process would enhance people to travel safely.
“Having vehicles parked, dumped or abandoned is really a menace in the country,’’ he said.
Christina Paul Forma called on street traders and garage owners to leave the street; as the street is for pedestrians and the free flow of vehicles.
Idrissa Kalawa Koroma, Garage owner applauded the operation carried by SLRSA as this exercise would make their business up and running; as well as inform customers about the rationale of parking vehicles at accessible streets or places which hinder pedestrians.
Alusine Komboh Koroma stated that the operation would benefit the drivers as it reduces their journey and also helps the growth of the economy by enhancing the timeliness of business people, workers, as well as school going pupils.
He assured that the operation would as well curtail health hazards.
Vandie Lansana, Communication Director at the Traders Council Sierra Leone disclosed that November 5TH incident at Wellington prompts the Parliamentary Oversight Committee to draft the idea of Operation Decongest Freetown.
He urged authorities concern to help in the sustainability of the operation. He believes that through the support of key stakeholders this operation would bring positive strides in Freetown.
Alusine Komboh Koroma, National Deputy Secretary General at Sierra Leone Motor Drivers Union said Freetown has become one of the most difficult cities to drive in the world especially as a result of congestion of traffic proudly caused by street trading and abandoned vehicles.
He said this has burnt the nerves of key stakeholders to come together and actualizing this type of exercise which is Operation Decongest Freetown; as the city is slowly welcoming tourists and Sierra Leoneans from abroad to celebrate the festive holiday.
‘’This Operation Decongest Freetown is in place and Drivers Union has really welcomed it,’’ he concluded.