The SLPP government led by His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio inherited the Concession Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone represented by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and Autospect (SL) Limited. The Concession Agreement was signed between the two parties on 6th December, 2017.
When David Panda Noah was appointed Executive Director of SLRSA (Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority), he discovered some lapses in the Concession Agreement. He pushed for the Agreement to be reviewed in the best interest of both parties. An Addendum to the Concession Agreement was mutually agreed to and signed on 21st January, 2019.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, in an attempt to avert any possible costly litigation, refused to terminate the Concession Agreement with Autospect (SL) Limited.
In January 2022, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio appointed Reverend Smart Kelson Senesie as Executive Director of SLRSA. Rev. Smart Senesie was appointed to work with the Board of Directors and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to implement the terms of the Concession Agreement without any fuss.
Since Reverend Smart Senesie took over as Executive Director of SLRSA, the Authority has been in a state of turbulence. He is trying very hard to undermine the Concession Agreement even though he does not enjoy the support of the supervising Ministry and the Board.
It is alleged that, Reverend Smart Senesie has been briefing some opposition media houses against the interest of Autospect and by extension the Government of President Bio. He continues to argue that, Autospect have taken over the operations of SLRSA which has led to the near collapse of the Authority.
Figures obtained from SLRSA Finance Department show that between January (when Autospect took over the management of four components of SLRSA operations) to April this year, the company has paid between 5 and 6 Billion Leones to SLRSA representing 20% of the proceeds generated from their operations. In addition to that, Autospect is paying the monthly salary of 44 SLRSA workers who are on secondment to Autospect.
Autospect is procuring all computers and printers for all SLRSA sub-stations across the country. They are also paying for internet connectivity at SLRSA head office in Freetown.
To date, Autospect have invested 13 million Euros on construction and purchase of state-of-the-art technology and equipment for their operations in Sierra Leone.
Few questions are still being asked: How can a Man of God try to undermine an Agreement that has been ratified by Parliament and approved by the Government of Sierra Leone?
With barely 48 days to general elections, how can a District Chairman of the party try to do things that will embarrass the Government that he serves?
Reverend Smart Senesie should focus on his job and avoid attracting negative newspaper headlines for both the Government and SLRSA.
Ibrahim Sannoh got sacked as Executive Director of SLRSA for allegedly undermining the Concession Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Autospect (SL) Limited.
Reverend Smart Senesie is advised to stop giving the SLPP government a bad name. A word to the wise
is sufficient!
