Freetown, 12th May, 2026 — In response to recent deadly road accidents involving container trucks, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation have announced new measures to tighten safety standards in haulage operations.
The move follows growing public concern after a tragic incident in which a fallen container truck claimed several lives, as well as disturbing videos circulating online showing visibly unsafe vehicles on Sierra Leone’s roads. Officials acknowledged that while regulations exist, enforcement gaps have allowed dangerous practices to persist.
Under the new directives, trucks without valid licences, insurance, or registration plates will be denied access to the port. Vehicles with worn‑out tyres, faulty locking mechanisms, or missing safety equipment will be barred from transporting cargo. Real‑time licence verification devices will be deployed at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, and roadside inspections will be intensified to check load security and roadworthiness.
The authorities also pledged to restrict container trucks to designated routes and operating hours, with penalties including licence suspension and blacklisting for repeat offenders. Mobile patrols will monitor compliance along major haulage corridors.
“These measures are aimed at improving road safety, enhancing accountability, and preventing further tragedies,” the statement read, urging transport operators, trucking companies, and clearing agents to fully comply.
The SLPHA and SLRSA reaffirmed that public safety remains paramount, stressing that collective responsibility is essential to protect lives and property.
