A major joint operation spearheaded by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu and the Executive Director of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), James Bio, brought much-needed relief to commuters and residents of Cline Town on Thursday, 4th December 2025. The exercise targeted the long-standing congestion caused by stationary and abandoned vehicles along Jenneh Wright Road, Ross Road and Fourah Bay Road; critical corridors that serve thousands of daily road users.
The initiative falls in line with the Sierra Leone Police’s strategic mandate to support Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in ensuring public safety, efficient mobility and orderliness across the country. With the IGP personally leading officers on the ground and the RSA mobilizing its enforcement team, the operation focused on clearing disused trailers and container trucks that had been left unattended for months along the routes leading to the Quay.
Residents say the situation had deteriorated into a serious public inconvenience. A journey that should ordinarily take five to ten minutes often extended into hours leaving commercial drivers, passengers and community dwellers frustrated. The abandoned trucks did not only obstruct traffic but also forced commercial transport operators to stop midway, causing unnecessary delays and contributing to the increment of transport fares, especially for commuters from the far east of Freetown and Waterloo.
Pedestrians who witnessed Thursday’s operation described it as “long overdue,” noting that the daily struggle of navigating narrow, obstructed pathways had become unbearable. Many recounted being forced to trek long distances after work as vehicles were unable to access key stops along the crowded roadway.
Following the clearance exercise, vehicular movement along the affected corridors has been restored, significantly easing the pressure on commuters. Transport analysts also expect a reduction in the double and triple fares that had become commonplace due to restricted road access.
Local residents and road users have widely applauded the intervention by the IGP and RSA leadership, hailing it as impactful and timely. Many expressed optimism that the authorities will maintain strict monitoring and enforcement to prevent the return of abandoned vehicles, which have long undermined the free flow of traffic in Cline Town.
The successful operation, they say, demonstrates a renewed commitment by law enforcement and regulatory agencies to address longstanding transportation challenges and improve mobility for thousands who rely on these crucial routes each day.
