The Executive Secretary of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Rev. Smart K. Senesie has revealed the significant challenges faced by road crashes in Sierra Leone.

During a meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy on Road Safety at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Living and Vehicle Testing Center at Mile Six on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Rev. Senesie highlighted the urgent need for international assistance to address this critical issue.

Since assuming office two years ago, Rev. Senesie has prioritized efforts to mitigate road crashes, recognizing them as a major concern that has been insufficiently addressed.

Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that the SLRSA faces numerous obstacles, including high administrative costs, a lack of vehicles-including essential official vehicles for staff, ambulances, and tow trucks-and a deficit of expertise necessary for efficient operations. These deficiencies have significantly hindered the agency’s ability to respond promptly to emergencies.

Rev. Senesie noted that the current tow truck purchased a decade ago, frequently breaks down, and further delaying emergency responses.

He emphasized that many road crashes are caused by improperly parked vehicles, underscoring the need for effective vehicle removal to reduce accidents.

Financial constraints also compound the challenges faced by the SLRSA. Following the outsourcing of a significant revenue-generating contract to a private company, the agency now receives only 20% of the revenue, half of which is allocated to the Road Maintenance Fund (RMF) for infrastructure improvements. This limited funding hampers the agency’s daily operations and its ability to implement safety measures.

Rev. Senesie appealed to the UN Special Envoy for assistance in addressing these challenges swiftly. He requested support for training personnel to enhance their knowledge of road safety measures and to conduct awareness campaigns targeting drivers, many of whom are unaware of basic road safety principles due to high levels of illiteracy.

Additionally, Rev. Senesie pointed out that the quality of safety equipment, such as helmets used by motorbike riders, often does not meet UN standards.

He emphasized the need for better regulation of imported spare parts and the registration of garages to ensure compliance with safety standards.

In a significant development, Rev. Senesie disclosed that, with the support of Sierra Leone’s First Lady, the SLRSA has secured land in Masiaka, Magburaka to build an emergency clinic center. This facility aims to provide immediate first aid to accident victims before transferring them to hospitals for further treatment.

Recognizing that most accidents occur on highways, the SLRSA is focusing on reducing incidents both on highways and throughout the country.

Rev. Senesie concluded his appeal by urging the UN envoy to prioritize Sierra Leone’s road safety concerns, emphasizing the need for immediate action to enable the SLRSA to fulfill its mission effectively.