The numerous check-points

Travellers who are familiar with the South Bank road from Kombo to Basse would attest to this.

From Mandinaba in the West Cost Region to Basse in Upper River Region, the road is full of uncountable check-points.

In many cases, passenger vehicles travel just a few miles and reach the next check-point.

They are either police, military or NDEA check-points.

These numerous check-points have, indeed, made traveling extremely unpleasant, for many people travelling, especially via the South Bank.

While we are not totally against having check-points on our highways, we are not equally pleased with the large number of check-points, and also the short distance between some check-points.

We totally support the government’s policy of no compromise with the country’s peace and security, but honestly do not see these uncountable check-points as necessary.

The many check-points make travelling difficult for passengers, and also is time consuming.

Having check-points in certain strategic locations on the main highways and other areas is not bad, but having check-points so close to each other, some even less than one kilometre apart is not sound practice to passengers.

We urge the authorities to do something about the many check-points.

We know very well that, as a developing country with limited resources to place cameras on our highways, we should develop on our human resource base to secure the country.

Similarly, a lot of harassment does happen at some of these check-points, and we are glad that the executive seems to have this information, as hinted by the president during the recent swearing in of the new Interior minister and judges.

We urge the new minister to do something about the check-points, and the alleged harassment of road users.