By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has launched a decisive enforcement operation along the heavily trafficked Waterloo–Masiaka Highway, signaling a renewed commitment to tackling illegal roadside activities that pose serious risks to motorists and pedestrians. The operation targets unregistered motor garages and informal vehicle repair points operating along the corridor without authorization, many of which authorities say have become major contributors to traffic congestion and road accidents.
The enforcement exercise commenced at Camp Junction in Waterloo, a strategic entry point to one of Sierra Leone’s most important intercity transport routes. The Waterloo–Masiaka Highway serves as a critical link between Freetown and the rest of the country, carrying a high volume of commercial vehicles, public transport, motorcycles, and private cars on a daily basis. SLRSA officials say the growing presence of unregulated roadside garages has increasingly undermined safety along this vital corridor.
According to the Authority, many of these makeshift garages operate directly on road shoulders and sidewalks, often spilling into active traffic lanes. Vehicles under repair, alongside okadas and kekehs, are routinely parked on the highway edges, while engines, tyres, scrap metal, and spare parts are displayed or stored in public spaces. This practice, officials warn, creates hazardous conditions that restrict visibility, reduce road capacity, and increase the likelihood of crashes.
Deputy Executive Director of SLRSA, Josie Abraham Scott-Manga, described the crackdown as a necessary and long-overdue intervention aimed at restoring order and safety on the highway. He explained that the Authority has received numerous complaints from road users and transport operators regarding frequent obstructions and near-miss incidents linked to roadside garages.
“This is not just an issue of congestion; it is a matter of life and death,” Scott-Manga said. “When vehicles are parked haphazardly on the roadside and mechanical work is carried out in the middle of traffic flow, the risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians increases significantly.”
He noted that certain sections of the Waterloo–Masiaka Highway experience heavy traffic volumes throughout the day, while others suffer from poor visibility, particularly at night or during the rainy season. In such conditions, roadside obstructions can easily lead to collisions, breakdown-related accidents, and sudden traffic build-ups.
The SLRSA emphasized that the enforcement action is being carried out in line with the Road Traffic Act and other relevant transport and safety regulations. Under the law, all motor garages and vehicle service facilities are required to be properly registered and licensed. They must also meet minimum standards relating to location, safety, environmental protection, and operational conduct.
Scott-Manga stressed that unlicensed garages undermine these standards and expose both workers and the public to unnecessary danger. He added that compliance with the law is not optional and that the Authority will continue to take firm action against operators who disregard regulations.
“This exercise is not intended to deprive people of their livelihoods,” he explained. “It is about ensuring that businesses operate in safe, approved locations and in a manner that does not endanger others.”
SLRSA officials indicated that operators affected by the crackdown will be advised to regularize their operations by relocating to approved sites and completing the necessary registration processes. The Authority also plans to intensify public sensitization efforts to educate garage owners and roadside traders about road safety requirements and the consequences of non-compliance.
The operation along the Waterloo–Masiaka Highway forms part of a broader national strategy to decongest major road networks and promote safer transport corridors across Sierra Leone. Similar enforcement activities are expected to be rolled out in other high-risk areas as the Authority steps up its efforts to reduce traffic accidents and improve overall road discipline.
As the crackdown continues, SLRSA has appealed to motorists and transport operators to cooperate with enforcement officers and adhere strictly to traffic regulations. The Authority maintains that sustained enforcement, combined with public awareness and compliance, is essential to making Sierra Leone’s roads safer for all users.
