A mini multi purpose complex consisting of a bus stop and a shelter for passengers travelling to the provinces built by the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC) at the Kissy Shell Terminal has been opened to the public yesterday, Monday, 16th January 2012.
The construction of the mini multi complex was entirely financed by a marketing and advertising agency-SL McCann as part of the agency’s corporate social responsibility aimed at complementing the President’s Agenda for Change in the transportation sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of SL McCann indicated that every little help towards the improvement of the lot of the people of Sierra Leone is help towards the transformation of the country. “This is an effort towards enhancing the President’s transformation agenda of the country,” he said, noting that his company deemed it necessary to promote passengers’ welfare with the construction of the structure on the request of the Road Transport Corporation.
General Manager of SLRTC, Bockarie Lewis Kamara indicated that the corporation is determined to do more of such projects across the country, especially where land is readily made available. He said Kissy Terminal is constructed on land owned by the corporation since the time of the railway.
He encouraged users of the complex to take good care of the property as it is aimed at ameliorating some of the problems faced by them during the course of their waiting for bus services especially during the rainy season.
Mr. Kamara made a special appeal to drivers of the corporation buses to treat passengers with seriousness, respect and care, noting that “it is the satisfaction of our passengers that will ensure the development of the corporation.”
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Vandi C. Minah, described the move by the corporation “as a demonstration of government’s effort in stimulating the private sector,” adding that such a move would restore confidence in the country’s public transport system and ultimately change the lives of the people.
He called on the corporation to consider erecting similar structures in other parts of the country to likewise serve the interests of passengers. He pledged his commitment to work with his counterpart in the Ministry of Lands to reclaim SLRTC properties where ever including bus stops and parks, which have been invariably encroached upon over the years.
By Poindexter Sama
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