By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
The Bo Central Business District (CBD), has been decongested by the Police, the officers acting after series of Media engagements together with the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) to have the people doing business along certain streets, move away from sidewalks.
The Police Information Officer South, Constable Alhaji Osman Mansaray, said the CBD in B is notorious for congestion by business people, tricycles and motorcycles and they have decided to clear the street because the festive season is fast approaching and they would want the people to be safe while they enjoy the holiday.
Speaking with Politico, Mansaray said “the streets are normally full of idlers who have nothing better to do except to pick pocket”. He said the decongestion of the streets is something that they have been working on and there are plans to continue the process. Some officers have been deployed to these streets until 2023 to ensure that the traders do not return there again.
Mansaray said the decision was taken to protect the people of Bo because that is their primary objective. He went on to say that they engaged the media so that the traders are educated on why they should not do business in the streets.
“As a result of this street trading Fenton road became the dumping site for traders. We also have a cordial relationship with the Bo City Council which became helpful for us in this operation” says Mansaray.
The District Chairman Sierra Leone Traders Union Bo , Obai Kamara said they worked with the Police because they are lawful citizens who love positive change. He said that Bojon Street,Fenton and Mahei Boima roads populated with traders and thieves affected the free movement of people going about their normal business and having considered the safety of the peoplethe Police together with SLRSA decided to take the traders off the streets.
Kamara said “police have been deployed on to the streets until February because people tend to be stubborn at times”.
He appealed that markets be built for these traders so that they can continue to do their businesses in order to pay their Micro-finance loans and provide as well for their families.
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