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Bo City Mayor, Kobba Musa, has taken a decisive step towards eradicating street trading and unlawful parking of vehicles within the city.
On August 7th, 2023, Mayor Musa held a crucial meeting with various stakeholders from the transport and business sectors at the office of the Regional Police Commander South, AIG Brima Kanneh.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Bo City Council, including Deputy Mayor Madam Hawa Campbell, Waste Manager Samuel Hinga Navo, and Acting Chief Administrator Henry Powell, representatives from the Drivers Union, Traders Union, Sierra Leone Road Safety Corps, and Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority, among others.
In the meeting, Mayor Musa emphasized the council’s plan to conduct a massive street-clearing operation, putting an end to street trading and unlawful vehicle parking along major streets in the city. Addressing the long-standing issue of street trading, he sought the cooperation of all stakeholders before implementing any actions.
Acknowledging the concerns of traders and drivers, Mayor Musa granted them a grace period of one month to vacate the streets completely. This decision came after representatives from the Driver Union and Traders Union pleaded for time to communicate the council’s plan to their members, many of whom depend on daily street businesses to support their families and educate their children.
The deadline for all traders to vacate the streets and transport owners to relocate to designated parks has been set for 1st September 2023.
Mayor Musa expressed his determination to restore Bo City’s former glory and called for the collaboration of everyone in achieving this goal. He stressed that the engagement with stakeholders was crucial in developing effective measures to address the issue.
In response, Regional Police Commander South, AIG Brima Kanneh, pledged full support from the police to enforce compliance with the new regulations. He emphasized the importance of abiding by the law and warned of consequences for non-compliance.
Bai Kamara, Chairman of the Bo District Traders Union, expressed gratitude to the mayor for initiating dialogue before taking action. He assured that the traders would adhere to the agreed deadline and cooperate with the resolution.
With the mayor’s commitment and the support of relevant stakeholders, Bo City aims to reclaim its urban landscape by eliminating street trading and unauthorized vehicle packing, paving the way for a safer and more organized city environment.
