The Wise Bird was coming from the east-end part of the capital Freetown, on Thursday 18th July, 2024 when he met a large crowd of people with placards protesting at the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA), demanding for what they called driving licenses.

As the bird wants to know and report things accurately as they are, he went closer and closer to get more as to what was the reason(s) for their protest.

According to what the Wise Bird got from the protesters was because of the prolonged delay in the issuance of drivers’ licenses, they claimed to have paid for their licenses for months now and the Authority has failed to hand-over the licenses to them.

The Wise Bird was further informed by the protesters that, during their peaceful protest the police created a cycle of harassment.

It was however made clear that, the protesters are agents acting as intermediaries between customers and the Sierra Lone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA) and that, they have constantly demanded for their licenses but the Authority continues to frustrate them as they are customers and have entrusted them with their payments.

The protesters further alleged that, during their peaceful protest heavy police presence was noticed trying to arrest few of the protesters, instead of finding ways of engaging them to have a peaceful resolution on the issue.

The brave bird was also told by the protesters that, they have paid the sum of Nle 850 without giving them what they have paid for (license).

One Abdul Rashid Kamara alleged that, he has made several follow-up visits to the Authority in respect of the issue but to no avail.

The Wise Bird is however, advising the Roads Safety Authority and by extension the government to handle the issue with the seriousness it deserves.

The brave bird will make a follow-up to know whether the protesters have received their licensees.