By Mohamed Kamara
The Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) in an exclusive interview held with this media on Friday November 18th 2022 at SLRSA Head Quarters situated at Kissy Road in the Eastern part of Freetown, has revealed that the SLRSA and stakeholders are currently commemorating the Road Crash Victims day which started from November 14-20 2022.
He said the essence of the declaration is in remembrance of those who died or seriously injured in road related crash globally. He said the Minister of Transport and Aviation Mr. Kabineh Kallon has already made a public announcement highlighting the importance of the week long commemoration in which above all, appealed for special prayers to be held on behalf of our loved ones who have lost their lives in road accidents and their respective bereaved families. He added that, the SLRSA Board Secretary Abu Bakarr Sheriff Esq. has called on a legal authorities not to hesitate to prosecute perpetrators of these crashes. Mr. Dumbuya said not all road accidents are technical in nature and believes that others may be associated with drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.
He said this year’s theme: “Justice and the Slogan “Remembers, support and Act for Road Crash Victims.” He said that was why the Board Secretary a learned Lawyer said there are numerous challenges faced to protect road users and therefore emphasis the need for Justice among other pertinent challenges. Mr. Dumbuya said religious services for the victims and survivors have been held in various Mosques and Churches in and around the city including public awareness on the media.
Although the Public Relations Officer could not comment on the public allegations that the police too should be held responsible, most people believe that the police negligence to monitor properly most private and public transport plying the routes may also be a contributing factor.
