By Ragan M. Conteh
The Management of Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) on Friday 17th July, 2020 at their headquarters on Kissy Road, Freetown symbolically unveiled a new tariff to acquire licenses for all categories of vehicles, tricycles and motorbikes.
Addressing the media, the SLRSA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdul Karim Dumbuya said the new registration system would now attract Interpol payable to Sierra Leone.
According to the PRO, any new registration must buy fire extinguisher and reflective triangle, adding that all commercial vehicles must pay income tax to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) before registration.
He disclosed that routing of all commercial vehicles is now mandatory for heavy duty driver’s license, private, commercial and government vehicles.
Mr. Dumbuya informed that all categories of vehicles with descriptions and their cost of new registration, including renewal cost, are also captured on the new tariff.
The cost of driver’s licenses to those that are eligible to drive, including beginners’ license, is now Le150, 000; international driving permit is now Le 1,000,000; while the cost of driver’s license for private and commercial motorbikes are now Le 180,000 and Le 140,000 respectively, the PRO disclosed.
He furthered that the costs of driver’s licenses for trucks and heavy duty including car, vans, trucks and all cat, except bikes, are also highlighted and captured, adding that the new registration cost is different from renewals.
Mr. Dumbuya admonished potential licence holders to do their transactions directly with the Authority instead of involving a third party.
He assured the public of the productivity and credibility of the entire staff of SLRSA to do justice to the general citizenry, adding that they are always ready to execute their duties and responsibilities with due diligence.
Mr. Dumbuya also encouraged the public to henceforth pay their licence fees to the commercial banks and also urged all applicants for licence to take payment advisory to the Authority for proper and transparent transactions.
He concluded that the unveiled tariff has been approved by Parliament and therefore advised the public to stop dealing with fraudsters.
Mr. Dumbuya said the Authority, especially the Executive Director, would frown on any one bypassing the legal system put in place for the smooth running of the institution, whilst he expressed the Authority’s commitment to providing effective service delivery to the country.