By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
As a means to ensure gender parity, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Col.Rtd Alhaji Fanday Turay says fifty female drivers have been trained to operate the new buses that began test runs in Freetown yesterday.
Turay made this disclosure at the official launch of the new Public Transport Reform under which the buses will operate, at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building in Freetown on the 29th of January this year.
He said his Ministry would work with the Drivers’ Union, the Bike Riders’ Union, and the Kekeh Riders’ Union among others, to ensure the smooth operation of the buses. “These groups came together for the setting up of the Metro Company and will be responsible for the operation of these buses,” he said, noting that they are the ones that invested in the buses.
The Minister recalled that the project was designed for a twenty million dollars loan, but later turned out to be a grant of fifty million dollars given by the World Bank.
“We have installed traffic signals at seven intersessions and installations of streetlights,” he went on. He stated that they have constructed four footbridges to “improve” pedestrian safety and security and that transit transport terminals have been constructed as well. He said there would be “special” lanes for the plying of the said buses.
Speaking about the challenges the Minister asked the public to exercise restraints as there would be reforms in the transport sector within the urban centers, insisting that the first three days of free carrying of commuters would help identify the challenges that they would need to tackle before the start of full-scale operation of the buses.
In her statement, the First Lady, Fatima Bio said the facilities in the new buses would record through CCTV cameras any act of violence or sexual harassment against women in the buses. “So, I am happy that the buses have CCTV cameras. So, whosoever attempts that nonsense against women, we would know what to do,” she emphasized.
She went on to say that transportation fares would be reduced and that there would be designated seats for people with disabilities.
The First Lady said the design of routes for the buses would connect “key destinations such as schools, markets and healthcare facilities that would make it easier for women navigating their daily livelihood.”
She noted that women would be part of the project, as drivers, mechanics and monitors among others.
She said they would build a transportation system that would not just connect “us geographically but connect us through empathy and shared commitment.”
A representative from the World Bank stated that the project has come a long way, since its inception two and half years ago.
He said they would work with the Ministry of Finance to create data to get projects implemented on time. He noted that they went through a “smooth” process in the procuring of the buses.
In his statement, Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh said the buses are not for any political party and believed jobs would be created and the local economy would improve.
The Sierra Leone Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (SLIRUMP) is a project that the World Bank funded through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to address public transport challenges within the urban centers.
The Metro Transport Limited Company comprises the Drivers’ Union, Poda Poda and Bus Owners’ Association, Kekeh Union, and Bike Riders’ Union which will be managing the buses. They are to start full-scale operation on 2nd February this year.
Copyright © 2024 (Politico 31/01/24)
