By Esther Wright
A Team of officials from the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and the Commercial Motor Bike Riders Union have ended a nationwide sensitization to Commercial Motorbike Riders across the country on the need to renew motorbike licenses and to operate within the framework of the law.
The team, which was headed by the Director of Safety and Enforcement of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Augustine Kaitongi, disclosed how the objective of the sensitization exercise was to encourage riders to always be law abiding.
Kaitongi, while addressing stakeholders in Kabala, Koinadugu Districts, highlighted the negative effects of riding unlicensed motor bikes and called on riders to desist from such an act as it has the potential to undermine national security.
He pointed out that the Authority was undertaking the sensitization campaign in order to raise more revenue to fund road safety activities in the country and encouraged bike riders to regularly renew both their riders and motor bike licenses.
Kaitongi lamented over the large number of road traffic crash fatalities recorded in 2020 and appealed to his audience to be cautious on the road in order to reduce road crashes. He reminded them about the dangers of driving under heavy rains and other harsh conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the Motor Bike Riders Union, the National Public Relations Officer, Mohamed Nabieu, said the Union is in close collaboration with the SLRSA to address challenges faced by riders and encouraged his members to always operate within the ambit of the law.
Other members of the team included: A K Lansana, Manager, Safety and Enforcement Department, SLRSA, Lamin Yansaneh, Corps Admin, SLRSA, John Milton Konneh, National Auditor, BRU, Kailondo Banyah, Secretary General, BRU.
The team visited other strategic operational areas in Bombali, Kenema and Bo respectively.
