By Marian Magdalene Bangura
Strategic Communication Unit, MoICE
To restore order and address growing concerns over traffic congestion and lawlessness in Freetown’s Central Business District (CBD), the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, organised a press briefing on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre. He was joined by the newly appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor Esq., Freetown City Council (FCC) Information, Education, and Communication Officer- Koma-Hassan Kamara, and Bike Riders Union (BRU) President, Ishmael Sandy.
Speaking at the briefing, Minister Lengor commended Minister Bah for providing a platform to engage the public and for conducting the session in Krio, one of Sierra Leone’s indigenous languages. He advocated for Krio to be formally recognized as a national language to enhance communication on national development issues.
Minister Lengor outlined plans for developing a strategic framework for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He noted that internal consultations, including engagements with agencies such as the Immigration Department and the National Civil Registration Authority, had been completed; and that the next phase would involve external consultations, including outreach to provincial communities, to ensure inclusivity.
The minister emphasized that a key goal of the plan is to make Sierra Leone one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the region, reassuring the public that all stakeholders would have a voice in shaping the strategy.
Addressing concerns over bike riders operating in restricted areas, Minister Lengor reaffirmed that any rider found violating the 36 prohibited routes—including Mends Street, which was recently added—would face suspension of their licenses. He stressed that stricter enforcement is necessary to curb rising crime, indiscipline, and traffic congestion in the city centre.
He revealed that upon assuming office, he engaged the Inspector General of Police on decongestion strategies. He said he was informed that the Sierra Leone Police, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BRU, had launched a decongestion initiative on November 1, 2024, beginning with a sensitization campaign including warnings and engagements with commercial riders.
To enforce compliance, police officers and BRU officials have been deployed to monitor and regulate activities within the CBD. Minister Lengor commended their efforts, noting that their presence has significantly reduced traffic congestion and petty theft. While acknowledging some resistance from riders, he warned that violations of the ban would not be tolerated.
If non-compliance persists, new penalties will be introduced, including license suspensions and fines of 100,000 Leones as stipulated in Section 127 of the Road Traffic Act. Additionally, riders will be required to wear helmets, with strict enforcement of this regulation. While helmets for pillion passengers remain optional due to health concerns, Minister Lengor stressed that rider safety is paramount.
Minister Lengor acknowledged concerns over police enforcement methods, particularly the use of hard canes (“koboko”) to discipline offenders. He assured the public that discussions with stakeholders would review and reform such practices to ensure that enforcement respects the rights of riders while maintaining law and order.
BRU President Ishmael Sandy expressed support for the government’s initiatives, acknowledging that bike riders’ activities had been poorly regulated in recent years.
He recalled the contributions of former Vice President Solomon Ekuma Berewa in developing the sector and expressed optimism that renewed government attention would restore discipline and improve riders’ livelihoods.
FCC Information Officer, Koma-Hassan Kamara, highlighted the challenges posed by bike riders in the CBD noting that that central government’s intervention had provided much-needed regulation, easing the council’s work in managing urban mobility and beautifying the city.
She affirmed FCC’s commitment to working with the government to ensure riders comply with the regulations and do not shift their activities to other prohibited areas.
The government’s plan to enforce compliance, improve public safety, and decongest Freetown’s CBD is a welcome move. As the city expands, ensuring an orderly transportation system remains a priority. The crackdown on violating bike riders demonstrates the government’s commitment to restoring discipline and enhancing urban mobility.
