By Crispina Cummings
Mayor of Freetown, Sam Franklyn Bode Gibson has told journalists in Freetown that Operation WID, meant to clear major streets of traders and unauthorised shacks, is alive, contrary to news of its death.
“It is not dead but very much alive and kicking,” he said.
He said that when the operation started he personally supervised the removal of about 400 people from the streets at Lumley alone and 300 others in other places. He said he had decided to revert to finding a market space because affected traders had nowhere to go to do their businesses.
“That is why work is ongoing to speedily complete the Sewa grounds market,” he said. He went on that they had had some problems with the police some of whom did not take the operation seriously.
The mayor said that there was no common understanding between them and the police. “Now that the second phase has started on 8 April, 2013 from Lumley through to Jui, it will also include places like Abacha Street.”
The city father was specific about their planned raid on street garages and motorbikes plying central Freetown. He said plans were also afoot to build the Allen Town market to serve as a transit market to the Ferry Junction market.
He said not too long from now places like Wilberforce Street and Circular Road would be made into parking spaces and people would have to pay to park their cars.
