By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Intern)
The Public relations officer of the Sierra Leone bike riders union Mohamed Nabbie has made out strategic concerns over the operation “Zero Tolerance” that was launched by the Ministry of internal affairs, concerning their operations in Freetown.
Mohamed Nabbie made this statement during an interview in the good morning salone shown, on the 1st September 2023 at New England Ville, Freetown.
In his opening statement, Mr Nabbie expresses appreciation to the Minister of intern affairs on the initiative of ‘zero tolerance’ which seeks to cater for the safety of all road users at all strides. He added that road congestion of scrap vehicles, street garages is now a habitual practice to a lot of Sierra Leoneans and this has caused a lot of casualties to them as bike riders which has often lead to fatal accidents of bikes and the loss of lives, injuries to many. Mr. Mohamed commends this operation from the ministries concerned as a ‘very laudable and timely call for them’.
Furthermore, PRO Mohamed confirms that they are ready to comply as a union but also points out that there are grey areas which need to be looked at when this operation commences finally. Mohamed said “The Minister of internal affairs is asking bike riders and pylons to always ply the road with helmets but the minister needs to know that there are a lot of aggressive passengers that often refuses to wear the helmet so if bike riders are stopped by law enforcers they should not face offences for that because the issue is not with the bike man but on most occasions from these stubborn passengers”.
The President also navigates that on the side of bike riders with helmets, the Minister and other agencies should note that there is a big issue of helmet availability in the market, he claims that “for far too long government has ordered to halt of using helmets so the demand in the market gradually decreased and this in turn made a lot of business to stop importing helmets in the country all just to store in their warehouse without any profit of selling”. So for Government to just impose these restrictions without making any research on whether products of helmets are available at the market is a very big challenge to us as bike riders. President Nabbie intimated.
Thirdly, President Nabbie says “ though government is focused on this operation on the grounds of safety for all passengers on the road, they should also not forget that there are health hazards also, because health is wealth so if they are talking about safety then they need to talk about health, the helmet as it is known has serious health implications and that is why as a responsible union we have engaged with ministry of health and SLRSA to laisse with ministries and agencies concerned for this operation so they will suggest ways in which helmets will be used by bike riders and pylons”. The President maintains that there is also the need to look into law enforcers in the streets as they are very naïve and normally overdo as to what is enshrined within the ambits of the Law, as previous operations launched by the Sierra Leone Police has not been so friendly because of this attitude.
On that note, the President Nabbie assures all bike riders to carry on with their daily economic activities. The IG of police has assured through a meeting that no police will make an arrest on any bike rider because of crash helmets. He furthers that no bike riders should not involve in any strike with any police or law enforcer and not to be a party of any strike action because of crash helmets as this has been confirmed and communicated by the IG of police to all regional police departments of this action. Mr. Nabbie added.
President Nabbie concludes that this directive from the IG, is because their reasons as bike riders union is a genuine, human and reasonable request but warns that this should not be a roadmap for bike riders to go against the law which has been set up by government because the law is for the benefit of all road users and specifically to garage owners that have made the streets to scrap yards. Mr. Nabbie reminded that as a union they will continue engagements with bike riders from park to park so that they listen and comply with on all laws initiated by government and other agencies.