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The Sierra Leone Parliament is poised to ratify the African Road Safety Charter following a meeting with the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
The discussion took place in the Speaker’s Conference Room at the House of Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown.
Abu-Bakarr Sheriff Esq., Company Secretary of SLRSA, presented the charter’s historical context and significance during the meeting. He noted that the African Road Safety Charter was adopted at the 26th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa on January 31, 2016.
Sheriff emphasized that the charter serves as a vital policy framework for improving road safety across Africa and acts as an advocacy tool aimed at reducing road traffic crashes.
Hon. Abdul Maray-Conteh, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, commended the SLRSA for their efforts in preparing the document. He assured them that Parliament would thoroughly debate and ratify the charter, stating that it is clear and free from political influence.
Maray-Conteh expressed concerns about the implementation of the charter after ratification, urging SLRSA to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the private sector, NGOs, and other governmental agencies.
Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Daniel Koroma supported the ratification, describing it as a commendable initiative. He advised SLRSA to work with emergency hospitals to establish post-crash facilities throughout the country.
Committee members raised important issues regarding road safety education and the promotion of the African Road Safety Charter, as outlined in Article 22 of the charter.
In response, Sheriff assured Parliament that once ratified, the charter would require the support of fifteen member states to come into effect. This would lead to the establishment of the African Road Safety Observatory (AFSO), aimed at enhancing cooperation among member states and generating reliable data on road safety.
