By: Aruna Kamara (Bo)
Over four hundred bike riders in Bo were in jubilant mood on Sunday,21 August 2022, assuring President Julius Maada Bio of victory in 2023 election for his second term in office, while receiving three litters of fuel each being provided by the Executive Chairman for the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper in an upbeat mood at the NP Fuel Station at Njalu Road Junction in Bo where the bikes were receiving the fuel, an Okada Rider, Sulaiman Tengbeh said the petrol given to them freely has helped them a lot to get food on the table for their families.
He admitted that that since he started riding okada for the past 10 years he has never received such support from government officials.
Another rider, Sam Rogers, however said that it is not a surprise to him because he knows the PRA boss to be a philanthropist who wants to help the government to see the bike riders well catered for as they have a critical contribution to the so-economic development of the country.
PRA Boss said the government of President Julius Maada Bio is a responsible government and cares for the citizens of Sierra Leone including the Okada Riders.
Mr. Koroma maintained that President Bio is committed to supporting the young people as their contribution is key to the development of the country., noting price of fuel has increased all over the world but PRA being a responsible institution has reduced pump price in Sierra Leone to Le18.
He dismissed the widely spread rumour going around that the price of fuel has reduced to Le15 and therefore called on the public not to countenance any fake news but to listen to PRA if there is further decrease in fuel price , his institution will have the mandate to let the public know as it has always being the case.
Mr. Koroma promised that there will be similar support to Okada riders in other parts of the country with provision from God.
He however cautioned the riders to distance themselves from violence and focus on their trade which gives them their daily bread.
The Resident Minister South, Mohamed E.K Ali said the Bio-led Government has the people of the country at heart and is a responsible government that cares for its people, adding that the petrol the PRA Boss has provided for the riders will help to earn them a living.
The Regional Vice Chairman for Bike riders Union South, Sorie Saccoh said as a union they are extremely grateful to Mr Brima Baluwa Koroma for his gesture to the riders.
He pleaded the riders to remain peaceful, pointing out that as a union they are not against any government but they complement the effort of the government to enhance national development.
