ABC Secretariat, SLP, SLRTA, and bike riders sign MOU

Introduction: This memorandum of understanding is between the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat and the leadership of the Bike Riders together with two major stakeholders, the Sierra Leone Police Traffic Division and the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority (SLRTA). The main aim of this MOU is to create a platform for the minimization of the negative behavior of particularly commercial Bike Riders and inject positive behavior through compliance with traffic signs, rules and regulations and the Highway Code. This is pursued considering the devastating consequence of the high frequency of Bike Riders’ accidents in the country resulting in the loss of life and property. Last year the recorded accident for Okada Riders was two thousand with thirty fatalities.

Background: The Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat held a consultative meeting with the Bike Riders (Okada) national executive at the conference room Ministry of Information and Communications on the 10^th January 2012 to discuss strategies of how best to meet the general body of the Bike Riders to raise up the issue of the negative public perception of the Bike Riders in relation to the exhibition of negative behavior in the execution of the function. It was agreed that before the ABC Secretariat meets with the general body, it should first meet with the leadership at the District Level comprising  three districts:-

1. Tombo to Shell
2. Ferry Junction to Kingtom
3. Hill Cot Road to Ogu Farm

 ABC Public Education Meeting

On Tuesday 17^th January 2012, the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat organized a one day public education meeting with the leadership of the Bike Riders at the Ministry of Information and Communications conference room 8^th Floor Youyi Building in Freetown. The Minister of Information and Communications, Hon Ibrahim Ben Kargbo and the Deputy Minister Hon Sheka Tarawalie outlined the policy guide of the Ministry in relation to the objective of the Secretariat working in partnership with the Bike Riders. They stressed on the economic and social significance of the Bike Riders and the need for compliance to traffic signs rules and regulations.

The public education covered three thematic areas of concern

• Traffic rules and regulations – Head of Traffic Division Sierra Leone Police
• Road signs, Police hand signals and Highway Codes – Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority
• Attitude and behavior of Bike Riders – ABC Secretariat

At the end of the public education, an interactive session ensued which resulted in the Memorandum of Understanding to which all parties present acceded.

The Content of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

The content of the Memorandum of Understanding was designed and developed as an agreement amongst the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat, the Bike Riders Leadership, the Sierra Leone Police Traffic Division and the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority for positive behaviour of Bike Riders on the road. Each party approved and consented to each operational item and promised to abide and cooperate on the implementation of this agreement. It was also agreed that each party will convince its membership to comply with this Memorandum of Understanding.

Bike Riders

1. Bike Riders must ensure that their bikes are registered and  insured
2. Bike Riders must have  valid riding licence
3. To avoid frequent accidents, all bike riders should stop overloading, over-speeding and reckless riding
4. For emphasis, all Bike Riders must take a Pillion (One passenger) at a time
5. Bike Riders and Pillions must always have their helmets on and the riders must also have their safety clothing (Reflector clothing) on particularly at night
6. Bike Riders should observe traffic signs, police hand signals and highway codes
7. It is compulsory for Bike Riders to take care of their personal hygiene and dress code
8. Bike Riders must not ride under the influence of alcohol or any other hard drugs

The Sierra Leone Police (Traffic Division)

1. To effectively execute and enforce road regulations, the police must ensure the elimination of Booking Fees and avoid demanding bribes from Bike Riders in all zonal operational areas
2.  The police should utilize the Spikes System judiciously and with caution to avoid accidents and reduce damage
3. The Police should avoid discrimination in incidents of arrest and or cases charged to court particularly when dealing with bikes of their own interest.

Government of Sierra Leone

Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat

Ministry of Information and Communications

8^th Floor Youyi Building Freetown

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