By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Inspector General of Police IGP William Fayia Sellu has continued to lead a comprehensive street clearing operation targeting illegal structures roadside garages and abandoned vehicles along Main Street Jenet Lane and other adjoining streets in the Kingtom area of Freetown.
The exercise forms part of sustained efforts by the Sierra Leone Police SLP to restore order improve public safety and ensure the smooth flow of traffic within the Central Business District of the capital. The operation is aimed at addressing long standing challenges caused by congestion unlawful encroachments and indiscriminate parking which have continued to affect movement and safety in the city centre.
By personally leading the operation the IGP demonstrated the seriousness with which the police leadership views the enforcement of road safety regulations and urban management laws. His presence on the ground sent a strong signal that the SLP is committed to taking decisive action against activities that pose risks to pedestrians motorists and business operators.
According to police sources the street clearing exercise is also intended to improve access for emergency services including ambulances fire fighters and law enforcement vehicles. Obstructions along major routes have in the past delayed emergency responses creating avoidable risks to lives and property. The current operation seeks to reverse this trend by ensuring that public roads remain clear and accessible at all times.
During the exercise security personnel were strategically deployed to maintain order and prevent confrontations. Illegally erected structures including makeshift shops and roadside garages were dismantled while abandoned and improperly parked vehicles were removed from key thoroughfares. The operation was carried out in an orderly manner with police officers engaging affected individuals to explain the purpose of the exercise.
Residents and business operators within the affected areas were urged to comply with existing regulations governing the use of public spaces. The police emphasized that roads and walkways are meant for public use and should not be converted into private commercial or storage areas. Members of the public were also encouraged to support the police by reporting violations and cooperating with law enforcement officers.
Some residents welcomed the operation describing it as timely and necessary to ease congestion and improve safety in the city centre. They expressed hope that the exercise would be sustained and extended to other congested parts of Freetown where similar challenges persist.
The Sierra Leone Police has indicated that the operation is not a one off activity but part of a broader strategy to decongest the city and promote public convenience. The clearing exercise is expected to continue in other parts of Central Freetown in the coming days as police intensify efforts to enforce compliance with traffic and public safety regulations.
Police authorities have warned that individuals who attempt to rebuild illegal structures or abandon vehicles on public roads after the exercise will face enforcement action in accordance with the law. The SLP reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and creating a safer more organised urban environment for all road users.
Further updates are expected as the operation progresses within the Central Business District of Freetown and beyond.
