By Mohamed Macarthy
The Secretary-General of the Bike Riders Union, John Samuel Kailondo Banya has urged for better understanding with the Sierra Leone Police for the interest of both parties and the general populace.
Banya told Politico over the weekend that many people depend on commercial bikes to move around and as such bike riders are key to the development of the country. He said they have one million, two thousand, and fifty-six (1, 2056, 000) registered with them nationwide.
The Secretary-General added that they are currently working with bike dealers for them to clearly indicate on their transaction document that whosoever that wants to buy bikes should be encouraged to get a license from the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority so that the issue of unlicensed bikes plying in the city and beyond will be a thing of past.
Banya noted that their union is contributing immensely in providing employment for youths in the country and appealed to the police to stop harassing their members unnecessarily.
Police Media 2, Superintendent Samuel Saio Conteh denied police harassment of bikers. The officer told Politico that their primary mandate is to ensure that bike riders ply within the confines of the law; adding that they should always have their valid licenses with them and ride responsibly to ensure safety and security in the city.
He urged the bikers union to report any police officer disturbing them to the attention of CDIID, the disciplinary wing of the force, for further action. Superintendent Conteh disclosed that bike riders are strictly restricted to stay off the Central Business District as it is a very busy area.
Commercial Motorbike has over the years played an integral part in addressing the transportation constraints across Sierra Leone. It also served a boost to the employment challenge as many male youths in both the rural and urban areas of Sierra Leone have taken it as a source of livelihood.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (17/01/22)
