By: Mohamed Sahr
In a bid to reduce acute shortage of mobility across the country, Isaac Ken-Greene, the General Manager of the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation has on Thursday the 13th of October 2022, informed journalists that the Corporation has boosted an effective and efficient transportation system across the country with thirty new buses.
Isaac Ken-Greene, General Manager of the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation said the vision of the sector hinges on providing public transport system within the country in order to sanitize the respect and commitment of the corporation. He added that maintenance of public transport service could be viewed as one of their core values which the institution had been known for since the establishment of the corporation into an act of Parliament. Ken-Greene also revealed that the responsibility of the institution is geared towards providing effective and cost recovery public transport services throughout Sierra Leone thereby connecting Sierra Leone with other countries for the conveyance of passengers, goods and services.
He disclosed that with the consultation of the Minister of Transport and Aviation, the corporation had implemented Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) as a pilot phase within the urban area. Isaac furthered that the strategic plan of SLRTC draws from the diversification of business to other sector mainly for the generation of revenue.
“The operation of the vehicles was not credible and professional when we took over,’’ he stated.
Manager Ken-Greene continued that the corporation would also embark on public transport infrastructure for effective management system. He affirmed that they had bought lands across the country for the construction of rest areas and bus stations along the provincial routes for the swift operation and easy accessibility. ‘’We have completed the construction of a bus station in Kailahun which will come up soon in partnership with Rokel Commercial Bank,’’ Isaac said.
He disclosed that the corporation inherited dilapidated system of bus operations adding that, the institution had experienced massive challenges in terms of diversification of these infrastructures and facilities. Ken-Greene said they had strived to attract investors and other interested bodies in the enhancement of transparent and accountable system.
SLRTC General Manager also disclosed that the Corporation has gotten every beats of conveyance documents of all facilities belonging to the institution since the inception of their duties and functions across the country.
He averred that the thirty new buses would replace the current life-supporting buses. Isaac stated that the SLRTC had planned to digitize its operation coupled with the payment system which would address some people who could not neither read nor write. ‘’Our buses would be trapped with camera surveillance device in order to showcase a real-time head count of passengers and to guarantee the safety of the passengers on board.
On his part, Rev. Smart Senesie, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), said the mission of the sector has been the regulation and coordination of development in the transport industry including the registration and licenses of vehicles, prescription of driver’s license as well as movement of goods and services. He revealed that modern and efficient plying of vehicles would be one of their mandates. ‘’We undertake inspectional supervision of vehicle repairs and maintenance for the government of Sierra Leone as well as undertaking development in the needed human resources in order to service the road transport industry through training of transport personnel in the public and private sectors for the promotion of road safety,’’ Smart Senesie disclosed.
He said the sector believes in multi-sectoral approach in solving the regular challenges in recent times. Senesie revealed that his institution works with various stakeholders in the discharge of their functions and mandate especially the Sierra Leone Police for the enforcement of traffic laws and traffic warding in the creation of road furniture, markings and signages.
Augustine Kaitongi, Director of Road Safety and Enforcement at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority said they had strived to enhance a real-time operation to Sierra Leoneans by clearing of illegal garages within the corridors of the sector. He assured that he had planned a strategic order in connecting major corridors for the effective plying of vehicles in an orderly fashion amid the festive season.
