Commercial Bike Riding all over Sierra Leone is fundamental and has enormously helped to ease the burden on transportation. Critics have looked at commercial bike riding as a necessary evil, as it is filled with many social vices.
However, security lenses, look at them as integral components of the security system, and thus should always be proponents of value to our internal security arrangements. Consequently, Police Commanders at both Regional and Divisional levels must dispense their duties in line with this concept.
To expand on this, the newly transferred Local Unit Commander to Kenema Division, Chief Superintendent Murana Eric Kamara, on the 8th March 2023, acquainted himself with the Executive of Bike Riders in Kenema District.
Addressing the executives, the proactive commander stated that bike riders are very important in fighting crimes and the fear of crimes, and therefore, could be incorporated into every level of our policing strategies.
He noted that the industry has created employment for youths nationwide, but was quick to state that most of them do not have respect for the laws of the land. He encouraged them to be law-abiding, avoid confrontation with the law, and maintained the most desired peace we need at this moment.
The Police boss reminded them that his institution has the constitutional mandate to maintain law and order. He emphasized that any act, which contravenes the laws of the soil, would be professionally dealt with.
He warned the riders against overloading and riding when under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and disclosed that these were part of the factors responsible for the increase in accident rates.
He concluded by requesting synergy, and coordination between the Executive of the Bike Riders Union (BRU) and Police Management in the District, and admonished them to stand tall and resist being wrongly used by ill-feeling politicians.
In his statement, the District Chairman of BRU, Kenema District, Patrick Brima Mando, heartily welcomed the new Luc and assured him of his union’s uninterrupted support.
He revealed that as the Chairman of the BRU for Kenema District, his membership had enjoyed a good working relationship with the police in the Kenema Division, and emphasized that his leadership would continue to expand on that relationship.
However, the Chairman, on behalf of his entire membership, requested that the LUC revisits the method of arrest by the Traffic Officers, and develop a more professional way that would help cob out traffic crimes on the streets, as well as maintain their relationship with the community.
The Operations Officer of Kenema Police Division, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Dikisu Kamara, and the Divisional Traffic Officer, Kenema Division; Assistant Superintendent of police, Mr. Ensah Ngunya both appreciated the BRU executives and maintained that the present executive of the bike riders in Kenema was mature and up to their task.
They however cautioned them to maintain their stance and promised they would work assiduously with the LUC to see how best they would look for professional possible solutions to their problems, which would maintain the laws of the land, in line with their good human relationship.
