A Commentary By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The recent facilitation by the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) of over NLe15 million in gratuity and redundancy payments to former staff of the defunct Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC) represents a major victory for workers’ rights and Government accountability. It is not just a financial transaction; it is a story of patience, reform and institutional transformation within Sierra Leone’s public transport sector.
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and SLPTA, has fulfilled a long-standing financial obligation to employees who were affected by the dissolution of the SLRTC. The event, held at the SLPTA Headquarters in Freetown, symbolizes the Government’s genuine effort to bring closure to years of uncertainty faced by workers who had dedicated their service to the state-owned transport corporation.
This payout, amounting to Le 15,603,705, covers backlogged salaries, gratuities and redundancy benefits for 70 permanent and 39 contract staff. It also clears institutional liabilities, including contributions owed to NASSIT and other suppliers. The meticulous record-keeping and transparency in the process reflect a notable improvement in public-sector financial management and labour relations.
The transition from SLRTC to SLPTA is a strategic realignment designed to modernize Sierra Leone’s transport system. As explained by Isaac Ken-Green, Acting Director-General of SLPTA, the reform was not merely administrative; it was structural and visionary.
Under the Public Transport Authority Act of 2023, SLPTA assumes a regulatory, rather than operational, mandate. It now oversees licensing, route regulation, policy formulation and safety standards across the national transport network. This separation of roles, service provision and regulation, is consistent with best practices across modern transport systems globally.
While this restructuring led to redundancies, the Government’s decision to clear all outstanding payments underscores its commitment to social justice and fairness. For many former employees, this marks the end of a long period of waiting and the beginning of renewed hope.
At the ceremony, representatives of the Ministries of Transport and Employment commended the resilience and patience of the former SLRTC staff. Edward Kwame Yankson, Permanent Secretary in the Transport Ministry, lauded the collaborative effort that made the payment possible, urging beneficiaries to use their compensation wisely to improve their livelihoods.
Similarly, Abdulai Conteh, Acting Deputy Director of Labour and Employment, reaffirmed that his Ministry was fully engaged in ensuring all workers received what they were lawfully owed. His remarks highlighted a growing culture of inter-ministerial cooperation aimed at protecting workers’ rights.
Civil Society also acknowledged the milestone. Alphonso Manley, National Coordinator of the Child Rights Coalition, who had long championed the cause of the ex-SLRTC workers, described the payout as “a victory for justice and workers’ welfare.”
Beyond the human dimension, this episode reflects the broader narrative of governance reform under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. It demonstrates how institutional restructuring, when coupled with empathy and accountability can yield tangible outcomes for citizens.
By ensuring the settlement of outstanding dues, the Government has set a precedent that public-sector transformation must not come at the expense of workers’ dignity. Instead, reforms must balance efficiency with compassion; a balance that SLPTA’s leadership appears keen to uphold.
The payment of over NLe15 million to former SLRTC workers is more than a fulfilment of a financial pledge; it is a reaffirmation of Government responsibility and a beacon of hope for others affected by institutional reforms.
Sierra Leone’s ongoing pursuit of efficient and transparent governance is exemplified by this gesture from the SLPTA and the Ministry of Transport, serving as a powerful reminder that genuine reform begins with honouring commitments to those who laid the foundation of public service.
In essence, the SLRTC-to-SLPTA transformation is not an end but a new beginning; one that promises a safer, fairer and better-regulated transport future for all Sierra Leoneans.
