SLRSA Charts Strategic Path for Safer Roads
www.slrsa.gov.sl
Kissy Road Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has concluded a high-level Board Retreat with the theme ‘Year of Action: Role of the Board in achieving Strategic outcomes”. The retreat, held at Occasions Resort, Lakka, was marked by strong commitments to improved road safety management, institutional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
Delivering the opening statement, the Board Chairman AIG (Rtd) Thomas Mustapha Lahai underscored the importance of clearly examining the roles and responsibilities of the Board in achieving strategic outcomes.
He emphasized the need for shared values and collective interests, including deliberate actions toward the domestication of the African Road Safety Charter. Reflecting on past institutional tensions, the Chairman noted that challenges between the Board and Management should now be considered a thing of the past, urging a renewed spirit of cooperation.
He further called on Board Members to serve as vigilant watchdogs to ensure that gains made by the Authority are preserved and not eroded, while commending the SLRSA for its ongoing efforts.
In his remarks, the Executive Director (ED) James Bagie Bio issued a clarion call for sustained improvements in road safety management nationwide. He described 2025 as a “Year of Strengthening Road Safety,” highlighting key achievements and progress made under his leadership.
The ED reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to building on these gains to enhance safety outcomes across the country.
The Keynote Speaker Prince E.O. Cole, who also doubles as Head of Civil Service and Secretary to Cabinet, reinforced the importance of synergy between the Board and Management, urging Board Members to actively support Management in executing its mandate. He stressed that Management should view the Board’s interventions not as interference, but as essential oversight and stewardship.
Commending the SLRSA’s work, he called for a stronger focus on accurate data collection and analysis as a foundation for effective planning. He also emphasized the need for improved stakeholder collaboration, adoption of modern technology, and a firm commitment to translating strategic plans into tangible results. Additionally, he highlighted sustainable urban mobility and road safety as critical drivers of Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.
The Minister of Transport and Aviation (MoTA), Alhaji Fanday Turay, echoed the importance of embedding a strong culture of data collection within the Authority. He also called for decisive action in removing unroadworthy vehicles from the roads as part of broader efforts to enhance public safety.
The retreat concluded with a shared understanding among participants on the need for stronger collaboration, innovation, and accountability in advancing road safety and achieving the Authority’s strategic goals.
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Public Relations Unit