By: Sulaiman Jalloh
Hon. Mustapha Sellu of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), representing the people of Moyamba District, raised concern over traffic connection at Godrich, the west end of the Capital Freetown, caused by traders and marketers, while debating the presidential address on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
Speaking under Standing Order 23 (SO23) of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, the Law makers drew the Speaker’s and Members’ attention to the alarming traffic caused by street traders.
Standing orders 23 (SO23) of the Sierra Leonean Parliament permit a member of Parliament to speak on personal issues.
According to Honourable Sellu, it is disturbing, and he isn’t comfortable with the mood of traffic at the Godrich end, especially in the morning and evening hours. “In the evening and morning, you see traders, pedestrians come up in the center of that road and coming down Metchkem or the battalion, you see lots of people outside that street and tomorrow it will cause a problem, and you see police officers standing around controlling the traffic” he pointed out while calling on the security sector to take appropriate action to mitigate and help ease the traffic follow in that part of the city. He stressed the need to engage the police force and traders’ union to send traders back to a marketplace called Funkia.
His call resonated with many of the traffic challenges citizens and vehicle users face due to street trading within the country’s capital and big cities and towns in the African country.
Hon. Sellu, known for being uncompromising on national issues, was assured by the acting Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, that immediate action would be taken; hence, the Police force, ministry of trade and industry, marketer, and traders union will be engaged.
Additionally, Hon. Mustapha Sellu praised the current leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament for raising the standard of the House of Legislature.
His praises reflect the unwavering commitment of the current leadership of the sixth Parliament, specifically the Speaker and his Deputy, to changing the House of Legislature to international standards, especially the introduction of new security measures.
In his response, the acting Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, reiterated their commitment to making Legislative House an honourable place.
However, the lawmaker expressed concern over the colours of certain countries placed at the forecourt of Parliament and requested the administration take appropriate action.