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The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has held a high-level consultative meeting with executives of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bike Riders Union ahead of the planned signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening compliance and promoting road safety across the country.
The engagement, which took place at the SLRSA Headquarters on Kissy Road in Freetown, brought together members of the Union’s national executive and senior management staff of the Authority. Discussions focused on key issues affecting commercial bike riders, including adherence to traffic regulations, registration processes, safety standards, and the need for peaceful cooperation with law enforcement officers.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Director of SLRSA, Mr. James Bagie Bio, commended the leadership of the Bike Riders Union for their willingness to engage constructively. He emphasized that the proposed MOU would formalize collaboration between the Authority and commercial riders, creating a structured framework for accountability and mutual respect.
“The MOU is not just a document but a commitment to mutual respect, accountability, and collaboration,” he stated, underscoring the importance of shared responsibility in enhancing road safety nationwide.
Mr. Bio also highlighted the decentralization of driver’s license services as part of the Authority’s reform efforts. According to him, expanding access to licensing services is intended to make SLRSA operations more accessible and customer-friendly. He encouraged riders to take advantage of the Authority’s Mobile Station initiative, describing it as a practical step toward making the licensing process more efficient and effective.
In his response, the President of the Bike Riders Union, Mr. Ishmeal Sandy, welcomed the initiative and assured the Authority of his members’ readiness to support government efforts to improve road safety. He described the decentralization drive as a long-awaited development that addresses persistent challenges faced by riders in accessing essential services.
Mr. Sandy further outlined concerns affecting commercial bike riders and called for continuous sensitization and sustained engagement to address welfare issues and operational challenges within the sector.
The meeting forms part of broader consultations leading to the official signing of the MOU, with a date for the ceremony expected to be announced in due course.
