The Secretary to the President, Dr. Emmanuel A.R. Gaima, has engaged key stakeholders in a strategic discussion aimed at eliminating street garages within the Central Business District (CBD) of Freetown. The engagement brought together representatives from the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), the Freetown City Council (FCC), and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to map out an effective approach to addressing the issue.
Dr. Gaima expressed concern over the increasing number of vehicles parked and repaired on public streets, which has led to congestion and environmental degradation in the city. He noted that while the successful removal of commercial motorbike riders from the CBD had improved orderliness, the persistent presence of aged and faulty vehicles remains a significant challenge.
“Many of Freetown’s streets have been turned into makeshift garages where faulty vehicles are repaired, causing traffic congestion and disorder. Additionally, the spillage of lubricants and other hazardous fluids damages the tarmac, leading to potholes and further deterioration of the city’s roads,” Dr. Gaima stated.
To tackle this challenge, Dr. Gaima authorized the formation of a dedicated task force, to be convened by the Inspector General of Police. He directed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be developed, along with a comprehensive operational plan for the initiative.
Emphasizing the importance of public engagement, Dr. Gaima instructed that a strategic communication plan be developed. He tasked the media officers of the participating institutions with leading a public awareness campaign to educate citizens on the benefits of removing street garages from the CBD.
Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, commended Dr. Gaima for initiating the engagement, highlighting that the move was timely, especially as efforts to restore order to the city following the removal of commercial motorbike riders were already yielding positive results.
Chief Administrator of the Freetown City Council, Raman Tom Farmar, recommended that the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) be included in the task force, given that many of the unauthorized street garages are situated within SLRA’s right-of-way. He also pointed out that while FCC has by-laws prohibiting vehicle maintenance on public roads, enforcement has remained a challenge.
Stakeholders unanimously welcomed the initiative, recognizing its potential to enhance urban mobility, improve road infrastructure, and create a more habitable environment for both residents and visitors.
The engagement concluded with directives to deploy tow trucks and other necessary resources to facilitate the immediate removal of unauthorized vehicles and restore order to the Central Business District of Freetown.
