Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Many passengers faced transportation difficulties at the Lumley bus park in Freetown on Wednesday morning as a significant number of commercial “Poda Poda” vehicles were absent from the roads.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the scarcity of vehicles was due to a strike initiated by commercial drivers protesting restrictions on their access to Wilkinson Road.
Reports detail that the strike began at the Lumley Waka Fine bus park, involving confrontations between police and Poda Poda drivers. The unrest is reportedly a result of a recent decision that grants exclusive access to Wilkinson Road to “Waka Fine” buses.
Poda Poda drivers are reportedly expressing their discontent at being forced to use a longer and more challenging route along the beach road. They argue that this directive from authorities constitutes unfair treatment, particularly as it creates increased travel burdens for them as citizens.
The strike has led to significant disruptions for commuters attempting to commute to and from the city, causing congestion and delays.
It would be recalled that in January 2024, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation announced restrictions on the use of public corridors in Freetown.
These restrictions, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving public safety, prohibit certain vehicle types, including public transport vehicles without licenses from the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA), from accessing designated corridors during peak hours (6 am to 10 am).
Wilkinson Road is part of the West Corridor affected by these regulations. The ministry had stated that loading and off-loading would only be permitted between 10 pm and 5 am, with violators facing vehicle towing at their own expense.
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