Sierra Leone, Weigh Bridge at the Terminal Entrance is a Death Trap

By Abdul Rahman Suagibu –

Photo Credit: African Arguments

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS, Freetown, Sierra Leone- According to report from the Bollore Transport and Logistics, citizens staunchly debunked with the Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal (NSBT) for the building of the Weigh Bridge at the Terminal Entrance in Freetown. The public is seriously raising eye brow about the safety of commuters. Many accidents and traffic congestions are in the increase.

Health Safety and Environment Coordinator of Bollore informed media personnel about the serious concerns raised for the construction of the weigh bridge by Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal. On 2^nd July, 2019 Bollore Transport and logistics at a press conference held in Cline Town Freetown, Patrick M. Jarbee said, relevant stakeholders also believe the construction has posed security threats to not only the Freetown Terminal but the community as a whole and up till now, no action has been taken by the authorities concerned by extension the Government of Sierra Leone. Jarbee continued that, due to the construction of the bridge at the entrance, there have been a lot of accidents, the most recent being on 31^st June 2019, where a vehicle loaded with timber waiting to be weighed hit and destroyed the fence.

“This has cost Bollore millions of Leones to reconstruct the fence and repair the damaged vehicles and that these concerned were raised with the past administration, but no action was taken and they are still calling on concerned stakeholders to address the current issue,” Jarbee stated.

Emerson M. Kamara- Public Relation Officer Indigenous Transport owners Association said that, there are lots of challenges faced by transport owners and they have written letters to the stakeholders responsible, but it has been ignored. He recommends that a Weigh Bridge be built at Hastings instead of the Freetown Terminal Entrance. He pronounced that, it will minimize the traffic congestions and accidents that do occur at the Freetown Terminal and Fourah Bay Road environs. Mr. Kamara gave 72 hours ultimatum if actions are not taken for the removal of the Weigh Bridge at the entrance, they will withhold their services as transport owners, as it makes their vehicles and drivers open to accidents and confrontations with residents in the community over parking spaces.

Gassimu S. Fofanah- Head of Communications/Public Relations, Bollore Transport and Logistics said that, there has been lots of consultation regarding the position of the Weigh Bridge and the security threat it poses to their working environment and the community as a whole. He recommended that the Weigh Bridge be relocated to a convenient place where it will not affect anyone.

Media personnel went to the offices of the NSBT to get their side of the story, but were denied entry into the premises by the security. All efforts made to contact officials of the NSBT were not fruitful However, NSBT’s side will be published when access is gained and an interview granted.

For New Africa Business News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

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