Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
25 November 2008
Freetown — Public relations official of the Sierra Leone road transport authority (SLRTA) Monday disclosed that the township of Kenema came to a standstill after 'okada' riders and the police were engaged in running battles.
Nilmaty Kamara told Concord Times that police officers mounted road blocks across the township, arresting riders who are refusing to use crash helmets.
"The confrontation between the police and the riders resulted to a standstill in the township. School pupils were unable to attend school due to the fracas. The riders complained that the police are harassing them for not putting on crash helmets and for riding unlicensed motorbikes among others," he said.
Kamara said there were no reports of any serious damages, but noted that commercial houses were forced to close down. "Traffic wardens were not part of the police operation. What is clear though is that passengers do not want to use crash helmets, but the situation is now under control," he said.
Amara Saffa, a commercial bike rider said one of the reasons responsible for the confrontation was because of the continuous pressure they have been subjected to by the police. He said several complaints have been made to the authorities concern but that little or nothing is being done to remedy the situation.
He said some police officers were unnecessarily arresting their colleagues and demanding money from them.
"We have nothing against the police but they should understand our situation because we make our living through bike riding," he said, adding that the strike action was to demonstrate their dissatisfaction over the attitude of some police officers.
When contacted, local unit commander Kenema police station, assistant superintendent Joseph Kabia said he was not aware of the fracas as he was out of the township.
However, the head of police media unit inspector Ibrahim Samura confirmed the incident.
Efforts to reach the newly-elected chairman of the bike riders' association eastern region proved futile.
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