By: Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The Minister of Transport and Aviation (MTA) has swiftly responded to Sierra Leone Telegraph Online Newspaper on their recent publication headline: “Chairman of Freetown Bus Company calls for partners and Stakeholders to publicly clarify roles and responsibilities.”
In response to the above publication, it was clearly stated in the press release issued out by MTA that, the MTA has implemented the Sierra Leone Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project strictly according to the government and development partners’ guidance and the evidence of those are found in Audit Reports with the Ministry of Finance Project Fiduciary Management Unit.
MTA also noted that, they would like to draw the attention to the arrangement of the Project structure (ref. Project Appraisal Document-PAD), which has representation of key transport stakeholders. During the project design phase, because of the complex and fluid nature of public transport system in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation brought on board all the stakeholders in the sector.
The Ministry’s made it clear that the rationale behind it was to tap into their insight in the public transport system in Sierra Leone and ownership of the project. The Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union, Poda Poda and Buses Owners Association, Bike Riders Union, Kekeh Riders Association, Passenger Welfare, Indigenous Transport Owners Association, and many others were given the mandate of managing the buses. In essence, whilst the buses were procured under the project, they were leased to a private company-the Metro Transport Company, for the provision of public transport services, with each stakeholder having a certain percentage share of the business. The company is tasked with the responsibility of managing the buses while the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) provides regulatory functions.
The Ministry added that, they cannot comment on baseless accusations or claims people choose to share on public platforms. We take great exception to such baseless accusations and misinformation. The Ministry therefore refuses to be distracted from our continued effort that focuses on initiatives transforming urban mobility including the Waka Fine Bus Operations.
The Ministry remain open in their efforts to inform and educate the public to anyone wishing to fully understand how we interventions are moving more people safely and how we and our partners intend to enhance our support to public transport service delivery.
