By Posseh Kamara
‘Keke’ (Tricycle) riders in Freetown have vented out frustration over what they see as open police extortion saying such move may take them off the streets.
The riders recounted on how police officers have been on their necks for money threatening them with traffic charges. Mamoud Kargbo, a rider who has been in the trade for years says, ridding is difficult these days as fuel price remains high.
Hard times in the transport sector also reflects on the prices of goods and services particularly food stuff which appears to be in short supply.
To get money for fuel, riders say, is not easy let alone the owners’ money. Kargbo also went on to state that they had been grappling with fuel cost which stands at NLe30 or Le30, 000 (thirty thousand Leones).
“We always give money to police officers without any good reasons; we give them only because they are police officers,” he cried out.
The Keke riders expressed dismay for what they are going through the hands of policemen whose institution has been tagged ‘force for good.’
They spoke about unlawful arrest, adding that most of them are currently in police cells and prisons for minor offences or failure to offer a bribe. The rider however admits that some of them are reckless as they refuse to secure licenses for their tricycles as well as themselves.
“Many riders carelessly ride their tricycles and escape when they involve into accidents,” he told this press. Kargbo also intimates this press that officers on designated points stop tricycles, inquire about luggages and offload passengers just for money after all.
“This morning I used different streets just to escape from police officers. Even if they see you plying the routes everyday, these officers will never recognise you,” they alleged.
An estimated 20,000 Sierra Leoneans directly benefit from ‘keke’ riding which also immensely contributes to the country’s development.
But, their effort may not bear fruits owing to police harassment in every part of the city. Most of the riders are family heads taking care of their wives and children.
Although the ‘Keke’ trade is still in its infancy, its benefit is enormous, but police officers’ extortion schemes might derail the sector’s progress.
The riders however call on government to come to their aid, and also urged police high command to reduce police presence on the streets to end harassment and extortion.