By Emma Black
Ia decisive move to restore order to Freetown’s spiralling urban chaos, the Freetown City Council (FCC) hosted a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on April 17 at its conference hall, rallying senior police officials and civic leaders, chaired by deputy inspector General (DIG) of Police Sahr Yomba Senessie, the session targeted rampant lawlessness street trading, traffic violations, and safety threats pledging swift action to reclaim the capital’s fading glory.
Commissioner of police (CP) Abdul Moijueh, Director of Traffic, joined divisional traffic officers (DTOs), National traffic coordinator deputy superintendent Alimamy Koroma, and regional staff, following up on a Ministry of Internal Affairs directive. DIG Senessie set a firm tone: The Minister is alarmed by Freetown’s unchecked disorder; we must act now.
Abdul Moijueh said traders clogging walkways and roads, disrupting flow, with 40% of CBD pavements occupied, per 2024 FCC surveys ad partial clearances achieved, but 20 rogue sites persist, per police logs, unruly commuters worsen congestion; only 10% of stops have queues, per traffic reports, construction materials block 15 key routes, causing 30% of 2024 accidents, per police data.
A security concern, with 500 beggars in the CBD, some linked to crime, per 2024 police briefs, commercial bikes resurface in the CBD, undermining a 2023 ban’s gains.
(DIG) Senessie praised the traffic Directorate’s efforts, noting a 25% drop in CBD congestion since 2023, but stressed sustained enforcement, he announced a steering committee to craft long-term strategies, targeting a cleaner, safer city by mid-2025, assistant inspector General (AIG) Sylvester M. Koroma of Freetown West urged unity, this fight is for our nation’s good.
CP Moijueh highlighted past wins, like clearing CBD bike traffic, and vowed to maintain momentum, deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk decried Freetown’s decline from a regional gem, citing 50% of streets overtaken by traders, per FCC audits, we must restore our city’s pride, he rallied, pushing for collaboration.
Drivers’ union president Amadu Bah condemned reckless driving, linked to 200 fatal crashes in 2024, per police stats. He backed passenger manifests for rural routes, a measure cutting accidents by 15% in pilot areas. drivers must respect lives, he said.
DIG Senessie closed with a directive, AIGs for Freetown West and East, with Moijueh, will map a cleanup of 23 trader-choked streets, launching before April’s end, the plan, backed by 100 officers, aims to reclaim 10km of roads, per police projections, public sentiment, vibrant on X, demands results, clean Freetown now posted trader Mohamed Kamara, gaining 1,000 likes. Resident Aminata Sesay added, Traders need space, not just bans.
Challenges loom trader relocation lags, with only 2 of 5 planned markets built, per FCC and enforcement faces resistance, with 2024 protests halting 3 operations, yet, opportunities shine a 2024 FCC app for reporting violations logged 5,000 complaints, showing civic zeal. Imam Abdul Conteh urged dialogue, work with traders for peace. FCC for cleanup details but received no reply by press time, as stakeholders align, Freetown’s push for discipline signals hope, blending police muscle, civic will, and strategic vision to revive the capital’s order and pride.