March 25, 2021
By: Aruna Kamara (Bo)
Some disgruntled Motor Bike Riders in Bo District have urged the executive of the Association to be transparent and accountable in the utilization of the revenue generated every day from them.
Speaking to this medium in an interview, Brima Jusu, a bike rider claimed that he on a daily basis pays two thousand Leones to the Bike Monitoring Officers (BMO) in the form of due, as a way of contributing to the effective running of the Union so that their welfare will be sought by the Union.
He, however, said that it is disappointing to note that they are committed to paying the money but they have not been updated on how the monies collected monthly or yearly is utilized.
Joseph Kamara, another rider said that they have been arrested constantly by the police and taken to court, but the Union is not there to protect them. He too joined in the call for a transparent and accountable union.
Reacting to the allegation, the Chairman of the Bike Riders Union, Bo District Augustine Sam said that the allegation of the riders is baseless and unfounded. He said it is a calculated ploy to dent his reputation.
He said that they are giving priority to the welfare of their members, pointing out that they have secured 100 licenses from the Road Safety Authority, which have been given to some of their members on a free of cost basis.
According to Mr. Sam, the money that they are paying every day was used to secure licenses for registered members so that they cannot be harassed by the police for riding without document.
He said that they have hired a lawyer to represent them in court when they are in conflict with the law, and the union has also solicited the services of a medical doctor that will provide medical attention to them in terms of accident etc.
“We pay the lawyer and the medical doctor from the dues that are being collected and even the license will provide them. The executive will not be distracted by these critics as we are well focused on the development of the union,” the Chairman said.
“I know that those who do not benefit from the license are the ones that are grumbling but I want to encourage them to exercise patient and wait for their own time. Surely, we will look into their concerns but let them know that we are transparent and accountable,” he stressed.
Mr. Sam continued that the Bo District Bike Riders Union Executive that he is heading will continue to provide transparent and accountable leadership to its members and will make sure that the dues collected from them will be used for their intended purpose.
“I want to encourage them to continue to pay their dues which will be prudently used for the development of their Union, with a special focus on their welfare,’’ he concluded. Govt