We wish to applaud the recent press release from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation granting temporary permission for the use of the east and west corridor of the City Freetown.
To us, it is a welcome and timely intervention. Since the introduction of the Waka Fine Buses to which special privileges are granted to ply the main thoroughfares of the city and for which prime morning time (rush hours to work) was preserved, did not any way ameliorate the daunting transportation crisis in the city. Rather, is caused traveling within the city very difficult, stressful and nauseating. But for over a year or so now, ordinary citizens have been grappling with a direct affront to their fundamental right to satisfy the whims and caprices of a few capitalists said to be the shareholders of the Waka Fine bus service.
For once, when the press release came into effect, commuters and motorists within the capital experienced some relief from the usual traffic congestion that often turns daily travel into a frustrating ordeal. The Ministry’s decision, made in collaboration with the Motor Drivers Union, the Security Sector, and other transport stakeholders, demonstrates a commendable effort towards improving mobility within the city and easing travel stress on ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
We hope that this temporal permission would be maintained permanently since the management of the Waka Fine Bus Service appears to be inept.
We have observed a considerable reduction in the number of the Waka Fine Buses on the roads which is causing undue delay and waste of the precious travel time of commuters wanting to use the bus service. Our understanding is that there are more of scrap and derelict Waka Fine Buses in their depot than the number in functional operation. Therefore, commercial vehicles must be allowed to ply and render the much transport service to the people with no further sweet privilege accorded to Waka Fine. In our view, it is like they are nearing outliving their purpose.
However, even as the measure brought noticeable ease in the flow of traffic, a persistent menace continues to undermine such well-intentioned interventions — the rampant corruption of traffic police officers and wardens. These officers, whose primary duty is to regulate traffic and ensure safety on our roads, have instead become notorious for extorting money from drivers and motorbike riders; irrespective of whether they default traffic laws and regulations or not. Their unchecked demands for bribes not only slow down traffic but also erode public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
This corrupt practice has become so habitual that many motorists now consider bribery a routine cost of driving in Freetown. This culture of impunity must end. The Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Sierra Leone Police owe the public a duty to address this issue with urgency and sincerity. There is a growing public call for both institutions to issue a joint press release warning all traffic officers and wardens against such misconduct and to put in place a strict enforcement mechanism that punishes offenders.
Traffic officers and wardens should be reminded that their responsibility is to maintain order and protect road users, not to prey upon them. The government must equally ensure that the disciplinary and anti-corruption mechanisms within these institutions are strengthened, and that errant officers face real consequences.
We therefore urge the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Transport and Aviation to act decisively. Let them send a clear message that corruption on our roads will no longer be tolerated. It is only through discipline, integrity, and accountability that we can achieve a safe and efficient transport system for all.
Until then, any effort to improve traffic flow in Freetown will continue to be sabotaged by those whose greed outweighs their duty to serve. The time to act is now — police and wardens must be warned and held accountable.