By Nasratu Kargbo
Traders along the Hastings/Grafton highway have expressed concerns over the manner in which their business places were destroyed.
A trader along Kossoh Town Amira Kabia explained that they were not informed or warned before the demolition. “They said this is just a warning and that they will be back on Saturday,” she claimed.
She stated that she was told to move her container back. “As you can see the boys are mixing the cement so I would push my container back. They said I should shift back from this high tension pole and for the past two days, I have been trying to settle my place, so that I will not encounter any problem with them on Saturday”, the woman said.
A bar owner called Margaret said her business has been negatively impacted, as the sitting area for her customers was totally destroyed. She said the men that destroyed the place said “they want a beautiful view and the others spoke of the right of way”.
The Acting Director for Serious Organised Crime Coordination and Spokesperson for the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdul Karim Will explained to Politico that the leadership of the Petty Traders, Freetown City Council, Western Area Rural District Council, Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority have over the years engaged petty traders for them to see reason and not engage in any form of construction in those areas.
When asked whether the people were informed, the Spokesperson said the relevant authorities went on air and in those communities to remind the traders. He mentioned that the traders always say they were not informed: “when they clearly know that they should not put structures in those places”.
Explaining some of the reasons for the demolition, Will said that the structures are erected on the right of way and that they obstruct the free flow of traffic. He said most times, these structures serve as hideout places for minor crimes and as dwelling houses with no proper disposal of refuge, etc.
Responding to the question of how many centimeters should these traders be off the streets, he said “it depends on the location of the place” as some could be 20 feet, 10 feet, etc. off the road.
The demolition has happened on several occasions along the highway, however, after a day or two traders return back and construct makeshift structures to trade. When asked what measures have been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence, Will explained that SLRA being the body responsible for road maintenance, should make their presence felt in those areas. Explaining how that could happen, he said by beautifying the place and making sure to demarcate the place so traders would know that it is a restricted area and continuously engage the people.
He appealed to those traders to desist from putting up structures in those places. Areas such as 55, Jui, Hastings, and Lumley Regent Road are amongst the areas highlighted for demolition because these structures serve as “eyesore to the beauty of the city.”
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (24/01/22)
