By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya
The much- reported joint exercise by the Police and road safety corps to address public road safety commences this Friday September 1. The Police in an earlier Press Release notified the public about their action and warned of prosecution against defaulters.
The exercise to be undertaken by the Directorate of Traffic Management and Road Safety will ensure stationary vehicles, motor bikes and tricycles parked on roadsides are removed or those responsible will face prosecution.
Also the exercise will target those using the roadside as a garage to repair vehicles.
Commercial motor bikers have been advised to ensure they and their pillions use helmets, and the bikers have been forewarned against parking in certain areas.
On Thursday, just a day before the operation came into effect, Police personnel could be seen engaging commercial bikers at various parking lots in Freetown in a bid to diffuse tension and create common understanding.
Meanwhile, Minister of Internal Affairs Major-General (Rtd.) David T.O. Taluva has vowed to curb lawlessness in the country, emphasizing that political ties and connections will not influence his work.
Taluva criticized the increased level of lawlessness, saying people have no regard for the law due to their affiliations.
“This is all the more compelling reason that I have spoken with the Minister of Justice and the Sierra Leone Police that anybody who manifests any sense of lawlessness will be charged to court within two hours so that no senior authority interferes with the case’’, he said.
Taluva encouraged the police to be steadfast in dealing with acts of lawlessness, and should ensure the law takes its course irrespective of the status of the defaulter.
He frowned at the act by some public officials in covering the national flag on their vehicles. He also warned against ministers or members of the public covering the number plates on their vehicles. He said it is easier to track down vehicles that break the law when the number plate is visible.
He said it is unfair to treat ordinary Sierra Leoneans with cruelty, while encouraging influential persons to walk free without any form of punitive measure for doing wrong.
He narrated how just last week he reprimanded a minister for covering his vehicle number plate, stressing that no matter the person involved he will administer the law without fear or favour.
He said every citizen has the responsibility to abide by the law, stating that the Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot single-handedly tackle lawlessness without the collaboration of ministries, agencies and the public. “The only way to curb lawlessness in the country is to ensure collaboration’’, he said.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (01/09/23)
