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.
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