By Marilyn King
FREETOWN, Oct. 25 (SALONE TIMES) – The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority(SLRSA) in partnership Auto Parts Freetown(APF) have Launched Biometric Driving Licenses, Ultra-Modern Garage, Authentic Spare Parts, and a Training Curriculum School.
This event took place at the SLRSA Head office Freetown.
Speaking at the event, the Transport Manager of SLRSA, Daniel C Kaitibi, said that they were working hand in hand with APF to bring everything on board and make sure Sierra Leone has the Biometric Driving Licenses. The primary objective of the move, he said is to discourage drivers from falsifying licenses.
He thanked the staff of SLRSA and Management of SLRSA, and APF for their passion to work and the unity of the work. Speaking about the process he said drivers should first go to National Civil Registration Authority(NCRA) to be registered and get their National Identification Number(NIN) before the Biometric Driving License is being issued to them.
The Director of Licenses of SLRSA, Hassanatu Judith Mansaray said that they were working with both the Police and certified examiners. She said she was honored to be part of SLRSA. She continued that were in partnership with APF, a German company to generate the Biometric Licenses. She maintained that the Biometric Drivers Licenses cannot be falsified.
The Executive Director of SLRSA, Ibrahim Sannoh said that they have 82,000 organized registered drivers.
He continued that are putting measures in place to match up with global competitive standards so that their drivers will contest in a conducive environment and will certify that they are indeed eligible to drive. He maintained that they are encouraging all who are driving to embark on a proper driving test before providing any Driving Licenses to drivers.
He noted that every driver be old or New they should go through a driving test. The driving test he said will be for both educated and non-educated drivers. Educated and none Educated person can also do the test. He furthered that they were partnering with APF because they have good and registered spare parts, and very reliable, and young people should believe in their platform.
He continued that the ideas were put together through young guys in SLRSA and together they can achieve.
He also expressed appreciation to the Executive Director of APF and the APF team for their good work with them the SLRSA.
The Executive Director of APF Jurgen Sonck, said they were selling eight million spare parts all over the world and 43 brands in Modern spare parts. He noted that they export the best spare parts all over the world and they were happy to be in Sierra Leone.
He continued that were initiating a training Curriculum school for young people in sierra Leone and bringing in new scales of machines into the country. He stated that they also have Auto garage for empower young people and develop their experiences in Auto Mechanic.
In his Keynote address the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon said there was going to be more work for SLRSA and that he will visiting SLRSA frequently to see their progress. He continued that in May 2016 the Authority transformed into Safety Authority by the Act of Parliament. He said all vehicles and motor Bikes should have Licenses. He continued that APF and SLRSA has brought ultra-Modern garage and Authentic spare parts in Sierra Leone and also Training Curriculum School in Sierra Leone which he is very happy to see. He said the Biometric Driving Licenses will give information of the holder. He maintained that there would be no forgery of the Biometric Licenses.
He promised to speak to his colleagues to buy any spare parts to APF because they have the best spare parts in the country. He thanked APF and SLRSA for their good work. The launching of the Biometric Licenses climaxed the program.
