By Mary Kabay
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha has on the 28th January 2022 launched the Motor Vehicle Dealers Union -Sierra Leone during an auspicious ceremony that was held at the YWCA Hall in the West End of Freetown. The Union comprises dealers of vehicles from different parts across the country.
Present during the launch were the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Amara Kallon, the Deputy Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Baggie Bio, the Head of the CID, vehicle dealers from various parts of the country, well wishers and members of the Press.
President of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Union, Moses Kanu, in his open remarks, expressed delight for bringing together and working alongside all car dealers across the country further underscoring that the primary objective of setting up the Union is geared towards enhancing the welfare of its members as well as provide protection for them during critical times added to working with the Sierra Leone Police Force to make sure that the right things related to their trade are done within the ambit of the law.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Rex Bhonapha, in his keynote address, stated how the occasion will go down the annals of history as a memorable one.
He expressed appreciation over the ability and determination of vehicle dealers to organize themselves to form a very formidable entity that will be the umbrella body to champion the interests and concerns of vehicle dealers in the country. He laid emphasis on the Union members being watchdogs in society and to speak out against anything which they believe is not right.
“The Union should not only be limited to ‘You touch one, You touch all’ but rather to make it become a sustainable entity that will contribute meaningfully to overall development and stand the test of time,” he admonished.
He pledge his support to the Union reminding its members to be united saying there is strengthen in unity.
The Deputy Transport Minister further cautioned the leaders or Executive members of the Union to serve their subjects with humility and honesty and at the same time advised the ordinary members to give their unflinching loyalty and support to the Executive members maintaining that it is only by strengthening that symbiotic relationship that they can succeed in fulfilling or achieving their aims and objections.
Rex Bhonapha also advised the Union members to retain the services of a Lawyer who will be of help to them in interpreting issues bordering on legality as well as have in place an independent electoral body that will be in charge of conducting periodic free and fair elections.
A representative from the Sierra Leone Police Force dilated on the roles and responsibility of the Police with regards dealing with traffic issues referencing the 2007 Road Traffic Act and the 2011 Traffic Regulations which, according to him provide guidelines on how car dealers must operate in the country.
Also referencing the Motto of the Union, which is Trust, Unity & Progress, he challenged the members that if they strictly adhere to it then they will witness positive changes in their endeavours.
Other speakers made salient contributions.
The official launching of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Union was done by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha, followed by the taking of group photos.
A Social Commentator intimated that the formation of the Union was a step in the right direction considering the growing number of car dealers in the country. He justified that such is necessary in order to distinguish between fraudsters and the real vehicle dealers.
