President Koroma to launch the National Road Safety Policy
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma will on Saturday the 23rd November launch the National Road Safety Policy at the most prestigious Country Lodge Hotel at Hill Station in Freetown.
This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority (SLRTA) Mr. Abdul Karim Dumbuya at the Headquarters of the SLRTA in Freetown.
Mr. Dumbuya said that the Board of Directors, Management, and Staff of the SLRTA have always been conscious of the need to protect lives and property on the road. As a result, efforts have been to not only help finance, but take the lead to promote road safety in the country using the available road traffic laws and regulations. Mr Dumbuya further said that the SLRTA together with the media and other stakeholders have always been using various methods and techniques not only to raise awareness on the need for road safety , but also to caution all pedestrians, drivers and bike riders to respect road traffic signs.
He however noted that the death toll caused by traffic crashes is reversible if we can translate all passion as he puts it that we exhibit in putting this document together into implementing the basic best road use practice to make life better for us all as a nation.
‘’The production of this road safety policy is the primary brain-child of the SLRTA and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation with support from its key stakeholders ‘’. Mr Dumbuya said
He added that the SLRTA has been receiving support from the government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) with unreserved commitment from H.E. Dr Ernest Bai Koroma and the Vice President chief Alhaji Sam Sumana.
While giving a summary of the road safety policy the Director of safety and enforcement at SLRTA Mr. Bouba Amara said that road safety injuries are social problems with major implications.
‘’In Sierra Leone, more than 400 are killed on our roads annually and up to 500 more are injured or disabled for life’’. Mr Amara said.
Mr. Bouba Amara noted that the current trend indicates that the situation is expected to get worse and that unless there is a concerted multi-sectoral response, road traffic injuries will continue to remain a leading cause of deaths primarily due to reckless behaviours of some drivers.
‘’This policy is presented in six (6) parts: situation analysis, challenges, justification, policy statement, the vision and the overall goal.’’ Mr Bouba Amara said. Adding that the policy contains five (5) thematic challenges; Road traffic management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users and post crash care.
Mr. Amara noted that road traffic intervention should be a priority for sustainable development. Hence it calls for high level of political leadership on the issue and a significant scaling up of resources particularly in light of rapid road infrastucture which aims at accessing particularly are productive areas of the country.
by Mohamed Lamrana Jalloh (intern SLRTA)
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