The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority on Monday 19th September disclosed that it will soon commence enforcement on unregistered repair and dealer garages in the country.
This disclosure was made by one of the Authority’s vehicle examiners, Melrose Murad, during a weekly television program “SLRSA HOUR” on SLBC.
Ms. Murad intimated that the regulation of both repair and dealer garages is governed by Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic Regulations 2011.
She noted that a large number of repair and dealer garages have not complied with their statutory obligations as to renewal of operating licences or first time registration. She called on garage owners to be mindful of their responsibilities to the Authority and appealed to them to voluntarily come forward and regularize their 2022 status. She maintained that within a very short period, the authority will commence recovery of revenue from all garages in the country which are yet to obtain their licence.
Vice President of Motor Vehicle Maintenance Association Max B. Dumbuya encouraged his membership to come forward and renew their licences and avoid punitive action by SLRSA. Mr. Dumbuya revealed that the Vehicle Maintenance Association had planned a lot of activities to sensitize their membership on the importance of taking out annual licences to operate their garages. He assured that the association will fully cooperate with SLRSA in making sure that all garages in the country are fully registered.
Route Commander Dauda Kargbo informed vehicle owners about some key instruments that should always be in a vehicle, including fire extinguisher, triangle reflector, wheel spanner, inflated spare tyre, jack and first aid kits. He said the absence of anyone of these instruments in a vehicle constitutes an offence under Regulation 55 (6) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2011. Route Commander Kargbo reminded drivers to always be in possession of their driving licences whenever they are driving as failing to produce one upon demand by the appropriate authority is an offence under Regulation 80 (Q)
The program was moderated by Abdul Karim Dumbuya, PRO SLRSA. SLRSA Outreach & Communication Unit.
