May 17, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY (LUCKY)
Sierra Leoneans can recall that just after Sierra Leone recorded its first index case of the novel coronavirus pandemic conscientious measures were instituted to checkmate the spread of the deadly virus.
It ranged from, curfew order, inter-district lockdown, three- days lockdowns, prohibition of congregational prayers in mosque or churches, closure of bars, restaurants and entertainment centers, prohibition of sporting activities, and limitation of passengers for commercial drivers and Keke riders.
The Courier must confess that those preventive measures or better put, restrictions have greatly helped towards curtailing the transmission rate of the covid-19 pandemic in the Country.
However, the Courier has interfaced with cross section of Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders and they are saying in unison that these measures have been jettisoned.
The concerns and comments raised by those aggrieved Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders are worth taken into deep consideration. Consequently, the Courier has decided to deliver their concerns and messages to the government especially the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center (NACOVERC) for due consideration.
This category of Sierra Leonean population is yearning for an instantaneous lifting of the ban on the limitation of passengers. This is against the background that the government has lifted bans on all socio-economic activities in the country.
It is crystal clear that government through the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center (NACOVERC), has expunged covid-19 restrictions on every facet of societal activities except for Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders.
It is refreshing to note that the covid-19 restrictions on all sporting activities which attract huge public gatherings have been lift. The lifting of these bans has indeed brought led to heightened excitement to many sport loving fans especially with the resumption of the country’s Premiere League which has resulted to most of the stadia across the country being filled with joyous supporters of the respective Sierra Leone Premier League Teams. We saw of recent a mammoth turn-out of supporters during the derby match between the “RANGERs” (Bo Rangers FC) and the “KILLERS” (Eastern Lions FC) which was staged at the Bo Mini Stadium. That match attracted many spectators because the Rangers also dubbed as “the biggest money spenders” bought the ‘’Killers’’ best attacker called Musa Tombo but now called Musa Kakua, and Musa Kakua scored the winning goal against his former club Eastern Lions.
Since we recorded our first covid-19 case sometimes in March 2020, government instituted a public directive for the reduction of passengers by Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders. Taxi drivers were requested to reduce passengers from four to three, Poda-Poda Drivers to reduce from five passengers to four and those with four to be reduced to three passengers. Keke Riders were also directed to reduce passengers from three to two and up till now that regulation guiding Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders is still in Force despite other restrictions have been relaxed or expunged.
The Courier therefore believes that this overdue restriction on Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders has been unfair particularly on the part of Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders. The existing restriction also has an enormous inimical socio-economic effect on the lives of Sierra Leoneans just as any other restrictions imposed on cinema operation, sporting activities, entertainment and the operation of bars and restaurants etc. Naturally, the congested capital city of Freetown is faced with an unbearable transportation malaise. Even during the times of normalcy, people especially those within the Eastern part of Freetown are always embroiled in a fierce fisticuffs- fighting for vehicles that would take them to their respective destinations.
Often a time, nefarious drivers charged passengers four times the actual fare they are supposed to pay especially when it is rush hours. Now with this fixated restrictions, the situation has compounded the more taking into cognizance the limited commercial vehicles available in the country. The fight for public transportation now has become even harsher than ever before. People now pay multiple fare in order to get to their respective abodes.
I am with the strongest credo that COVID-19 is not only a global pandemic and public health crisis; but that it has also severely affected the global economy and financial markets. Significant reductions in income, a rise in unemployment, and disruptions in the transportation, service, and manufacturing industries are among the consequences of the disease mitigation measures that have been implemented in many countries of which Sierra Leone is not an exception. As disease outbreaks are not likely to disappear in the near future, proactive actions are required to not only save lives but also protect economic prosperity of which the Commercial Drivers and the Keke Riders are key players.
I am also with the conviction that in order to understand the economic effects of changes in Covid-19 restrictions also requires knowledge of what would have happened to the path of the virus and the economy with different restrictions, or no restrictions. However, the unprecedented nature of both the virus and the restrictions required to mitigate it, and the complex interactions between the two, mean it is not possible to know what would have otherwise happened and therefore, any assessment of a given change to a holistic restrictions is therefore unavoidably necessary.
The restrictions put in place by the Government in order to control Covid-19 have all had a significant impact on the economy. After an initial ‘buying rush’, measures to restrict movement across the country may disrupt commerce and have adverse effects on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who rely heavily on daily turnover to provide food and necessities for their families.
Conclusively, inasmuch as the Courier Lauds the commendable covid-19 restrictions of government which made Sierra Leone to be once alluded as the safest haven in terms of issues relating to Covid-19 prevention and control measures, I would also want this message to be couriered to the government that the restriction on Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders has long overdue and needs a rethink.
I can also recall that government introduced Covid-19 Quick Action Economic Response Programme (QAERP) with the overall objective of resuscitating and maintaining macro-economic and financial stability and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 shock on businesses, and households. Government also expanded on existing cash transfer programme implemented by NaCSA and also provide Micro Credit Support (Munafa Fund) all in the full view of recouping and revamping the micro-economy of the state. Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders are also very much instrumental in terms of boosting the Micro-economic status of the country. Most of these Commercial vehicles are licensed for a specific figure of passengers and therefore, it would have an economic minus to the drivers and owners of those commercial vehicles if they are not taking the required passengers the vehicle was licensed for. If night clubs are now opened, sporting activities are ongoing, ban on religious gatherings and public gatherings are lifted, then I see no reason for the existence of the Ban on Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders not to carry their normal passengers of which their vehicles were licensed for. The Commercial Drivers and Keke Riders are aggrieved of the marathon restriction on them and therefore, government should now apply the adages which says “what is good for the goose, is good for the gander”.