By Nasratu Kargbo
In this year’s Citizens Manifesto, citizens have demanded that police are taken off the streets and replaced with street lights; citizens expect that the next administration tackles this to reduce the level of corruption.
A presentation on the 13th of April 2023 at the launch of the 2023 Citizens’ Manifesto by members of the steering committee from various districts stressed that police officers be taken off the street.
Speaking on behalf of Kenema residents, Francess Jusu said taking the police off the street will help in reducing corruption and bribery. She added that this will also reduce the chaos between the drivers and the police officers.
Jusu also emphasized the need for 50% youth employment, stating that they in Kenema believe that the educational pattern should focus on skills training.
The manifesto states that “We demand that presidential candidates commit to installing traffic lights to reduce police presence on our streets in the first year after elections. By harnessing the power of technology, we can significantly increase citizens' trust in the police and build a more secure country”.
In the manifesto, most of the districts have stressed the need for traffic lights.
Second Secretary at Embassy of Ireland Emma McLoughlin said the manifesto gives voice to citizens and that those who wish to represent the people should consider those things that the people have highlighted when carrying out their developmental projects.
She stated that there are diverse focuses per district ranging from healthcare, water, and cost of living amongst others.
The Executive Director of the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) Andrew Lavali on the 15th March 2023 at the launch of the citizen’s manifesto consultation process said that one of the citizens’ six demands to the next administration is that the administration introduces traffic lights and reduce the presence of traffic officers on the streets.
He said that one of the areas where police accountability is low is in the area of traffic management.
He said this has great implications for those traveling with goods in different areas across the country, adding that the number of police stops affects the prices of goods.
“We really want them to increase the salaries of police officers, Sierra Leoneans want good police,” said Lavali.
He said when they asked citizens whether police officers are doing a good job in other areas such as sexual offence amongst others, over 90% of Sierra Leoneans said the police have done a lot in that regard but wanted their presence on the streets reduced. The survey was sponsored by Irish Aid.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (14/04/23)
