The newly-appointed Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police for the Eastern Region, Al-Sheik Kamara together with his Local Unit Commander in Kenema, ASP Joseph Kabia, the Regional Coordinator, Chief Superintendent Kailey and other dignitaries of the Kenema Division have paid a courtesy call on the Bike Renters Association (BRA) in Kenema city.
Addressing a cross section of executive members of the BRA, the AIG East stated that his visit to the BRA office is a clear indication that his administration clearly recognizes the association as one of the stakeholders in the community. He spoke about the importance of information sharing between members of the BRA and the Police adding that bike riders deal with all manner of people; the poor, the rich, the young and the old, even criminals.
He therefore urged them to pass on relevant information to the Police, especially those relating to crime and security threat, for the Police to take prompt action.
Al-Sheik Kamara revealed that despite the fact that commercial bike riders have their own problems; their activities have eased the problem of transportation in the District, especially for those in remote areas.
With reference to the Local Policing Partnership Board, the AIG pointed out that the idea is timely and important and therefore urged the BRA Chairman to participate fully in the activities of the Board in Kenema city. He stressed that the Police and members of the community should work as one, in order to minimize crime rate. He admonished all including Police Personnel to make use of helmets since no one is above.
The Local Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent Joseph Kabia cautioned members of the BRA to live within the confinement of the law.
He advised them to keep in touch with his office and on behalf of the Force, pledged his support to the BRA; confessing that he is quite impressed with the speedy development in the BRA since the new executive took over.
The Chairman of BRA Kenema City, Augustine Momoh, expressed gratitude to members of the Police Force for the recognition given to the association. He assured the AIG that his organization would live up to expectations. He further stated that his executive is ready to work closely with the Police, noting that plans are afoot to secure two hundred (200) licenses for unlicensed bike riders in the Association within the first one hundred days of his term of office.
The Chairman also outlined other proposals for the organization, which includes the use of helmets for both the passenger and rider and the collection of 1,000 leones daily from riders for their welfare fund.
By Saffa Moriba
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