Wednesday 9th April 2025
The Executive Director of Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Mr. James Baggie Bio had on Wednesday 9th April 2025 made History in less than one Hundred Days in office. In recognition of the important role played by stakeholders in the Transport Sector for the successful implementation of Road Safety Operations, the Executive Director had engaged the General Membership of the Car Dealers Union at the Authority’s Headquarters, Kissy Road Freetown. An event referred to as Historic since the inception of the Car Dealers Union.
Mr. James Bio welcomed the Members and applauded them for the massive turnout within the shortest notice sent to the Union. He said it was a great sign of oneness and ready to work with the Authority. Mr. Bio rolled out his operational plans and requested the Car Dealers Union to comply with the rules and regulations of the Authority to enhance Safety and Security for the peaceful co-existence of the people of Sierra Leone.
The Executive Director, Mr. Bio highlighted Five Key areas of concerns that bordered around safety and security in the country in line with the operations of the union.
* The transfer of Temporal Vehicle Registration (TVR) from one vehicle to the other. This according to the Executive Director is a violation of the Road Traffic Regulation 2011 hence a criminal offence and perpetrators will face the full force of the law.
* The locations of most of the Dealer Garages are inappropriate. Placing your vehicle along the pedestrian walk-way thereby forcing them to walk along the vehicle carriage-way hampers the safety of other road users, his administration would look into that very seriously.
* Registration and Renewal of Dealer Garages is mandatory. Failure to register and renew your garage is an offence and also deprived the Government through SLRSA of its required revenue.
* There is need as a nation to review the Vehicle Importation Policy to encourage vehicle importers, especially the Car Dealers Union to bring in newer vehicles in the country. This he said would be considered after engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure safety on our roads.
* Youyi Building is not a showroom for car dealers. Any dealer who parked his or her vehicle within the perimeter of that vicinity does so at his own peril.
The Executive Director informed Members that, to ensure availability and accessibility to the services and products of the Authority, the management had deemed it very necessary to extend the operations of the Authority to Saturdays. Mr. Bio furthered that Service delivery is vital to his administration and very soon he would introduce a Mobile Work Station. This Mobile Work Station, he said, would license any unlicensed vehicle on the spot for ease of enforcement.
The Executive Director, Mr. Bio then requested Abu-bakarr Sheriff ESQ., the Secretary to the Authority and Board who doubled as chairman of the meeting to read and explain to the members, the functions of the Authority as enshrined in the Road Transport Act of 1996 from a legal perspective.
Abu-bakarr sheriff ESQ briefly explained the function of the Authority referencing the relevant sections of the Road Transport Act which gave the SLRSA the powers to Regulate and Coordinate the road transport industry for the socio-economic development of the country. He implored with the union members to comply with the provisions of the laws and also informed all present that, the Authority does not act in vacuum.
The Director of Safety and Enforcement, Augustine Kaitongi commended Members of the Union for their cooperation in working with the Authority. Mr. Kaitongi encouraged members of the Car Dealers Union to adhere and comply with the rules and regulations.
Speaking on behalf of the Car Dealers Union, the President Mohamed Alhaji Shaw, applauded the Executive Director for calling to a meeting the General Membership of the Car Dealers Union. This he said has never happened with other leaders hence a historic moment for the union. Mr. Shaw thanked the Executive Director and the entire Management of SLRSA for recognizing the importance of the Union to the economic development of the country. Mr. Shaw promised that his Union would continue to comply with the dictates of state authorities and they would work earnestly with SLRSA. “Compliance leads to progress”, he concluded.
The Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Josie A. Scott-Manga expressed his profound thanks and appreciations to God Almighty for a successful deliberations. He thanked members for taking time out of their busy scheduled to answer to the call of the Executive Director. He said the Authority will continue to work diligently with the Union to ensure that there is compliance to the rules and regulations governing the operations of the dealers.
SLRSA Public Relations and Outreach Unit.
