Police promises the nation of continuous raids on Okadas
According to research conducted at the Emergency Hospital, Goodrich by Sierra Express Media, most of the patients with bruises, broken arms and legs are as a result of motorbike accidents.
The Sierra Leone police, as part of their drive to ensure sanity and safety in the central business district of the city, including diplomatic areas have waged war on commercial motor bike riders, known here as ‘okadas’.
To that end, the police have warned lawless Okada riders against plying certain routes but the okadas deliberately violate the order.
The areas designated as no-go places for okadas are the Central Business District of Freetown, Rokel Street, Siaka Stevens Street, PZ, Abacha Street, Kissy Road, Fourah Bay Road to Eastern police.
According to Lamin Alhassan Turay, the Financial Secretary of bike riders union, Western Area, some of their members violate police order which has resulted in many of their colleagues being penalized. He said the police claim that bike riders are not following the rules but as a union they will find ways by which they (the okada riders) and the police come to a compromise in the best interest of all.
Janet Koroma, a trader at Sani Abacha Street said if okada can be made to ride safer in the streets, she has no reason why they should not ply the streets. She said taxis and Poda-podas are using the roads recklessly, but why pick on the Okadas alone.
A bike rider at Dwarzak junction said it is unfortunate the police are picking on them alone.
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