SLRSA Deepens Collaboration with NEMS
In a strategic move aimed at improving road safety and emergency response in Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has deepened its collaboration with the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS). The engagement, led by SLRSA Executive Director, Mr. James Bagie Bio, took place at the SLRSA headquarters on Kissy Road, Freetown, and highlighted a shared commitment to reducing road traffic accidents and fatalities across the country.
The meeting, held on October 2, 2025, brought together key leadership from both institutions to discuss joint strategies for saving lives on Sierra Leone’s roads, particularly in the lead-up to the festive season—a period historically associated with higher rates of traffic incidents. In his opening remarks, Mr. Bio emphasized the urgency of the collaboration. “As the festive season approaches, road crashes increase significantly,” he noted. “By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, SLRSA and NEMS can provide critical care and rapid emergency response to accident victims, reducing fatalities and minimizing the impact of crashes on communities nationwide.”
The discussions focused on multiple areas for partnership, including improved monitoring of accident-prone corridors, timely emergency response, and enhanced training for personnel.
Mr. Ambrose T. Tucker, Manager of Research and Development at SLRSA, provided an overview of the Authority’s recent achievements in road safety management. He cited the Highway Management System, which has strengthened monitoring and response capabilities along major corridors, particularly the Masiaka–Bo highway, a route long recognized for high accident rates. Mr. Tucker also reported a noticeable decline in road traffic accidents in August 2025 compared to July, attributing the improvement to targeted enforcement and proactive monitoring.
Responding to the presentation, Dr. Songor Koedoyoma, Chief Executive Officer of NEMS, welcomed the initiative and expressed keen interest in expanding the collaboration. He highlighted NEMS’s expanded ambulance coverage across all districts, which ensures emergency medical support is available nationwide. Dr. Koedoyoma stressed that joint efforts with SLRSA would allow for faster and more coordinated responses in high-risk areas, such as the Bo–Masiaka and Lunsar–Makeni highways, which continue to experience frequent road incidents.
A key component of the partnership involves capacity-building and training for both organizations. Dr. Koedoyoma outlined plans for defensive driving training for NEMS personnel to reduce accident risk during emergency responses. In return, NEMS will provide training for SLRSA road safety corps, equipping them with paramedic skills to assist at accident scenes until medical personnel arrive. This cross-training initiative is expected to significantly enhance on-the-ground emergency care and contribute to the overall reduction of road fatalities.
The engagement reflects broader reforms led by Mr. Bagie Bio to strengthen institutional partnerships and improve Sierra Leone’s road safety framework. By fostering collaboration between regulatory authorities and emergency medical services, the initiative seeks to integrate prevention, rapid response, and post-accident care into a cohesive national system. The partnership also signals an innovative approach to road safety management, recognizing that accidents are not solely a matter of enforcement, but require coordinated health and emergency interventions.
Both institutions agreed to continue regular stakeholder meetings, data sharing, and joint operational planning to ensure high-risk areas are continuously monitored, and response times are minimized. This initiative also serves as a model for other government agencies seeking to enhance public safety through strategic collaboration.
With the growing focus on road safety ahead of peak travel periods, Sierra Leoneans can anticipate more robust monitoring, quicker emergency responses, and increased public awareness campaigns. As Mr. Bagie Bio emphasized, “Saving lives on our roads is a shared responsibility, and through partnerships like this, we can achieve measurable impact and build safer communities for all.”
This collaboration between SLRSA and NEMS demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to road safety, combining prevention, training, and emergency response into a unified national strategy aimed at protecting lives and promoting safer road travel across Sierra Leone.