By Gibao Brima
Following several complaints coming from the public in connection to traffic congestion created by abandon vehicles belonging to companies in the East End of Freetown thus creating unnecessary traffic congestion.
The Traffic Management and Road Safety Directorate under the dynamic leadership of Assistance Inspector General Of Police Brima Kanneh, his able National Traffic Coordinator Deputy Superintendent of Police Alimamy Koroma and team on Tuesday 31st January, 2023 held a Stakeholders meeting with various commercial houses, companies, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and transport institutions among others.
The meeting took place at central police station conference hall.
In his opening remarks AIG Brima Kanneh underscored that the public is not please with traffic congestions from the Water Quay environment up to Ferry junction via Calaba town, adding that traffic congestions have also contributed to major road accident cases.
A.I.G Kanneh said further that he knew quite well business people are trading in perishable goods which is needed by the public but equally so the public have their right to have easy access to walk along the roads and streets unhindered. He therefore called for a dialogue which will help to solve the traffic congestion menace.
In his contribution the National Traffic Coordinator, Detective Superintendent of Police, Alimamy Koroma spoke on the purpose for the meeting and the possible solutions to help ease traffic congestions in the Eastern part of Freetown.
D.S.P Koroma said the Police have a responsibility to serve the people of Sierra Leone. Many a times, D.S.P Koroma said people always know their rights but failed to know their responsibilities. The police, he noted is smaller in number and, the general public is in the majority so they have the responsibility and power to arrest and handover to the police anybody they found doing the wrong thing which cannot help to bring national development, he also spoke of overloading of vehicles especially the city buses which he said are always overloading with no ventilation which is not good for hygiene practice.
“The accident cases are on the increase in January more than what we have expected it to be in December but the narrative has change therefore we need something to remedy the problem. Most accident cases are due to abandon and stationary vehicles in the street own by trailer owners, commercial business houses and companies operating in the Eastern End of Freetown,” DSP Koroma said.
He however said this should stop as it is time to find solution to stop traffic congestion. “The roads and streets have become so narrow making the movement of people to become so difficult,” he stated. However, he said that people should know, that the roads are not only meant for motorist but pedestrians. He however, hammered in with authority that the issues of abandon vehicles, street garages and half ways by “Poda-Poda” Drivers will be minimized despite the police is working hard to stop half ways he therefore called on the public to cooperate with the SLP.
Street trading, D.S.P Koroma said is another reason for traffic congestion which he said is wrong and is crime since section 134 of the Sierra Leone’s Constitution prohibited all form of street trading.
Invited stakeholders requested for more public sensitization before the police go into action.
However, the Freetown City Council being a major player to help in the mitigation of traffic congestion failed to show up.