The Evil That Kills Itself…Freetown Peaceful Without Okada

Oh yes, it was a wonderful moment for TRACE to tour the streets of Freetown without hindrance by the flocks of commercial motorbikes aka okadas.

TRACE learnt from the okadas riders that they were being harassed by the Minister of Internal Affairs Paolo Conteh for what he deemed as their lawlessness in the city.  TRACE like many other road users was  engaged in a physical exercise on Monday. TRACE walked miles to see what will be the outcome of the okadas boys strike. This strike turned out to expose the okadas boys rather than disturbing passengers.

It was a very peaceful and well-ordered city on Monday, the noise was less, no accident throughout the day all because okadas were absent from the streets of Freetown. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians were so happy and they also felt safer to walk and cross on the streets of Freetown. The issue of okadas has caused a lot of tension in the city due to their manner of riding. Most of the okadas riders don’t obey the traffic rules and  through that they have not only killed themselves but others as well.

‘OKADA’ THE EVIL THAT KILLS ITSELF

After a long working day TRACE decided to board a taxi to go home. TRACE took the back seat of that  taxi where TRACE met two passengers; one was by TRACE side while the other was in front with the driver.  The passengers were debating about the high rate of Okadas in the city; how they are killing themselves as well as innocent people. The passenger in front was in favour for okada to serve as taxi in the city while the other was against it, due to the trouble they are causing in the city.

The debate continued as we moved on.  The driver also joined the debate saying it is not just the number of Okadas on the streets that worries them but the levels of pollution, accident and havoc they are causing. It was two against one in the taxi.

Attentively TRACE was listening to the debate;TRACE posed questions to both parties for TRACEto get more answers than questions.

As we moved on TRACE remembered what TRACE had been told long ago by a former worker of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes that most of the riders are ex-combatants and those boys are in dire need of job. The debate continued until an Okada that was monitoring their other okada riders to comply with the strike overtook our taxi around BrookfieldBus Holt west of Freetown and eventually hit a boy and a private car which was approaching from the other side. Quickly the passenger by my side said, “This is what I was talking. Their presence is more of harm than good.”

TRACE smiled to him thinking what will be next from his opponent and quickly his opponent responded “Okada riders may get too carried away by their emotions that at times safety is the least of their concerns. Okada is a risky experience but most of the worries attached with the risks would be driven away if one gets bike insurance.” TRACE sensed some truth in what the man by the driver said, TRACE smiled again and nodding his head. In TRACEmind TRACE said “Okada insurance provides one with peace of mind that responsibilities and expenses will be taken care of should the need arise.”

All the same, Okada however does not come without risks. As a matter of fact, Okada is considered as more dangerous compared to other means of transport.

Eventually TRACE made it home but the debate continued as they were heading for the far West of Freetown.

Then yesterday TRACE thought it fit to go deeper in this issue by getting diverse views about okadas. Most of the people TRACE spoke to were not in favour of Okada as a means of transportation in the city.

One of the evils TRACE discovered is the manner in which some riders are endangering their lives. They see trouble eye to eye yet still they face it with reckless abandon ultimately making some to lose their lives. Most passengers have suffered heavily in the hands of Okada.

There are many factors TRACE discovered that increase the risk of Okadas.

One main one is crashes and injuries which are largely due to lack of certified driver training and invalid licensing. Over speeding and reckless driving - moving between and within lanes and vehicles poor regulation and law enforcement, no-helmet use by riders and their passengers nonuse of conspicuous  measures - wearing of reflectors, daytime headlights and overloading carrying 2 or more passengers and possible use of alcohol and drugs are all hazards of okada transportation.”

With all these fact TRACE still not rest to do more research but this time to the law enforcement agency which is the Police. At the Central Police in Freetown which have the bulk of crime in the city, Head of Regional Traffic Coordination Freetown West ASP Abdul Bangura found it more comfortable to brief TRACE of the activities within his area of command. He said the rate of accidents in 2011 was 2,920 cases out of it they got 255 cases of deaths and 1,211 cases are caused by Okada.

“What has reduced it in 2012 is because of the arrest we made. Out of the 8,457 people that were sent to court 2,426 are Okada riders.”

He said yet still people are crying down the Sierra Leone Police as the most corrupt institution in the country. He said they are making millions of Leones for government which is now in the Consolidated Fund.

“We are not making money but in the process of enforcing the law we are making it, and the government is realizing it. We need to be commended if we are making such amount but yet still they are saying we are still corrupt”

Indeed ASP Bangura confirmed to TRACE that Okada riding is a trade in the country and a source of employment more especially for the youths who comprise the bulk of the country’s population but he said there is a need for the Okada union to tailor themselves on how they should reduce the accidents.

On February 20th 2012 the Police launched Operation road safety where dozens of okadas were arrested. He said they are not only arresting but they are also advising them if they made mistake. “The risk involved in Okada is greater than that of a vehicle,”

The statement made me to believe that some of the insurance companies are afraid to insure Okada for fear of running at a loss.    

According to the Okada Union Task Force they explained to TRACE that they came into the Okada business due to the poor public transport systems - inadequate, unregulated and unsafe, Under-developed road infrastructure, and poverty and under-employment.

But they failed to talk about the weak and poor enforcement of laws governing use of Okada as taxis -for public transport in the city which is one of the challenges in the city. It is important therefore not to take unnecessary risks while on a bike. Safety should be given the topmost importance. Wearing a quality helmet is an important requirement. If you love your Okada then you probably are thinking of getting Okada insurance already. Even if you don’t ride your Okada often, it is still important to get an Okada insurance to prepare for any eventualities such as damages or thefts.

Mariama Bah told TRACE that the damage Okada pollution is causing to the city is enormous, and something needs to be done to address this problem before it get out of hands. According to her the intensity of Okada traffic is also increasing the number of accidents in the city sitting Kissy Road which have accident almost every day.

“Our hands are tied and there is nothing we can do in the face of this wanton madness.” An officer at the SLRTA said.

Some Freetonians stressed that the government lacks the political will to tackle the problem. Legislation and sensitization should go hand-in-hand to curb this ugly trend. Nothing short of this will work.

Countries like Liberia have banned okada from enter the city center due to their reckless riding and theft of pedestrians bags and attacked on people shops.

Some are saying okada is said to evoke sensation of urgency, joy, and fulfillment and of course, adventure but why a government would chose politics or money-making over the safety of its citizens? What action will come out next from the government will decide the fate of the new means of transportation in the city but that will not stop TRACE of riding Okada in the country as TRACE is only TRACING the things that matter most.