MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, SLRSA BOARD AND MANAGEMENT INSPECT AUTOSPECT FACILITIES
Freetown: Thursday 15/9/2022
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) Board Members and Management have on Thursday September 15th,2022 inspected the Autospect facilities and installations at Six (6) Mile along the Waterloo-Masiaka Highway and SLRSA Headquarters at Kissy Road in Freetown.
The inspection was led by a high powered delegation comprising of the Deputy Minister of Transport, Senior Permanent Secretary, Transport Technical Advisor, Director of Transport, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority Board and Management team.
Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA), Reverend Smart K. Senesie expressed thanks and appreciation for leaving their busy schedule to attend and further introduced representatives of the Ministry of Transport and SLRSA Board members and Management to the Autospect team.
In his statement, the Autospect Managing Director, Muhiedine Itani, welcomed the Honorable Minister and team to the Auto-spect facilities, while inspecting the ultra-modern facilities and installations, he explained that six inspection lanes are available for motor cycles, both light and heavy vehicles.
He maintained that the lanes will check for carbon emission level, headlight, shock absorbers, brakes and vehicles under body testers amongst others, adding that a comprehensive test will be done and later on a fitness certificate be issued to indicate the fitness or otherwise of the vehicle to ply the road.
‘’the facilities are 90% completed which would host SLRSA officials to serve the public in vehicle registration, drivers license issuance, vehicle fitness and inspection certification’’ Director Muhiedine Itani disclosed.
He explained that in preparation for the grand launching of Autospect operations in Freetown, there are 30 SLRSA Vehicle Examiners who have undergone training on how to use the equipment at the vehicle inspection sites, adding that 150 Sierra Leoneans would be employed at the nine stations that would be operated across the country.
In his statement, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Honorable Kabineh Kallon expressed his satisfaction with the sophistication of equipment at both Installations and the high standard fitness test and certification during the inspection.
He said that his Ministry and the SLRSA are very committed in ensuring that vehicles imported into the country are properly inspected for road worthiness before they could be allowed to ply certain routes or corridors within the Freetown Municipality and the Provincial routes.
He called for public awareness and sensitization to prepare vehicle owners for the rigorous test regime their vehicles would be subjected to when Autospect shall commence operations.
The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA), Rev. Smarts Senesie said that as part of efforts to address the enormous challenges faced by drivers, vehicle owners and mechanics, his Agency (SLRSA) last year launched four major interventions among others in the Road Sector.
“These four major interventions are the first ever Biometric Drivers’ License in the country in tandem with Auto Parts Freetown (APF); a Belgian company, an Ultra-Modern Garage, Training School and quality spare parts shop” Executive Director Senesie noted.
He emphasized that these interventions will enhance quality, safety and security on our roads, noting that its will also save Government Millions of Leones by buying authentic spare parts from APF and repairing vehicles at their Ultra-modern garage at six (6) and SLRSA Headquarters at Kissy Road.
He maintained that these will enhance job creation for young people thereby contributes considerably towards the Country’s economic growth, economic competitiveness, and human capital development.