In a recent Memorandum of Understanding sealed between the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps in Abuja, Nigeria the two institutions have expressed delight over the landmark partnership.
In his inaugural appreciation statement, the Executive Director of SLRSA, Mr. James Bagie Bio said he was exceedingly grateful to the Corps Marshal and his Management Team for hosting them since 30th June. From 1st July. He acknowledged that they have toured FRSC facilities and formations, held meetings with the Corps Marshal and his Management Team, and interfaced with various departments. ‘’Without any doubt, we have been impressed by the professionalism, dedication and passion demonstrated by our hosts,’’ James Bio stated.
‘’Today marks the formalization of an agreement that commits our two institutions to bilateral cooperation in our shared mission: saving lives and limbs on our roads. This historic day is the culmination of years of good working relations and a common purpose. Indeed, over the past few days, we have already begun to implement the spirit and letter of this agreement,’’ the SLRSA’s Executive Director remarked.
‘’We are mindful of our shared responsibility to prevent road traffic crashes and mitigate their impact on society, especially on vulnerable road users: children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, and the disadvantaged. We are all too familiar with the human and economic cost of road traffic deaths in Africa,’’ James Bio said.
He extended appreciation to his host to be here in Abuja, the city of unity, to state that Sierra Leone, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is ready to match words with action.
‘’Sierra Leone is committed to the global target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, in line with SDG Target 3.6. We are confident that through cooperation and shared responsibility at the national and regional level, we will achieve this feat. The signing of this MoU, for an initial period of five years, directly delivers on SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It commits both parties to knowledge sharing and capacity building in: Innovation and Technology, Motor Vehicle Administration, Data Management and Research, and Road Safety Operations and Enforcement,’’ the SLRSA boss pointed out.
James Bio assured his Nigerian counterpart that he will demonstrate SLRSA’s unwavering commitment, adding that he will present the MoU to the Honourable Minister of Transport and Aviation and the Board of Directors for domestication; appoint a Focal Person to serve as Liaison with the Federal Road Safety Corps; and submit an Implementation Plan and provide quarterly progress reports.
Concluding, he thanked the FRSC Protocol and Management Team for a seamless visit as they depart Abuja with knowledge, relationships, and a clear mandate to act.
Responding, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps said the signing marks a significant milestone between the two agencies in their quest for strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing mutual collaboration on road safety for their dear nations.
He commended Mr. James Bagie Bio, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and his team for taking this giant strides for choosing Nigeria as the destination for knowledge exchange and capacity building for the personnel of SLRSA.
The FRSC boss extended warm greetings and appreciation to those who joined them online most especially the President of African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA), the President of West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), Representative of the ECOWAS Commission, the Assistant Minister of Transport Republic of Liberia, as well as Director Generals of Road Safety Agencies across Africa,
He recalled that Sierra Leone have a long standing relationship that is rooted in their culture, traditions, and beliefs, noting that they are not merely signing a document as they are making a solemn, binding commitment to protect the most valuable resource their nations protect human lives which is the purpose for which their Agencies were established.
‘’By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authorityare pooling our knowledge, resources, and political will to address capacity buildingandharmonization of safety standards, sharing of crash data, and the implementation of best practices in Road Safety Administration and Traffic Management,’’ he stated.
He said their joint efforts are fully aligned with global initiatives, such as the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, the Africa Road Safety Charter and the ECOWAS Regional Framework on Road Safety. ‘’By working together, we aim to drastically reduce fatalities on our highways. Nigeria as the Secretariat of WARSO and AARSLA will continue to partner with any country in Africa to ensure that our roads serve as pathways for prosperity, not pain,’’ he concluded.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA [FRSC]
AND
THE SIERRA LEONE ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY [SLRSA]
JULY, 2026
This Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered into on this day of July, 2026 BETWEEN:THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS, established by the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act 2007 (as amended), with its National Headquarters at No. 3 Maputo Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, Nigeria, hereinafter referred to as “FRSC”, represented by the Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, of the first part; AND THE SIERRA LEONE ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY, established by the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority Act 1996 (as amended), with its Head Office at 142 Kissy Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone, hereinafter referred to as “SLRSA”, represented by the Executive Director Mr. James Baggie Bio, of the second part. FRSC and SLRSA shall hereinafter be collectively referred to as “the Parties”.
PREAMBLE
Considering our respective constitutive Acts and mutual mission and vision to cooperate and collaborate as likeminded lead road safety agencies within the framework of the West Africa Road Safety Organisation and the African Association of Lead Road Safety Lead Agencies;
Mindful of and deeply concerned by the high rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in both the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Sierra Leone;
Recognizing the shared vision of creating safer roads and reducing loss of lives and livelihoods;
Acknowledging the need for cross-border learning, knowledge exchange, technical support, and institutional collaboration;
The Parties have agreed to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutually beneficial terms as follows:
ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE
The purpose of this MoU is to provide a framework for cooperation between FRSC and SLRSA to strengthen road safety management, enforcement, education, and institutional capacity for the mutual benefit of both countries.
ARTICLE 2: SCOPE OF COOPERATION
The Parties shall collaborate in the following areas:
- Training & Capacity Building: Exchange programs for officers in traffic law enforcement, crash investigation, post-crash emergency response, first aid management, traffic crash investigation, high patrol techniques, road traffic counts, and road safety education.
- Data & Research: Sharing knowledge and expertise in crash data collation, analysis, research methodologies, and management.
- Technology & Systems: Support for technology advancement and innovation in digital licensing, vehicle inspection systems, speed enforcement technology, and road safety audits.
- Public Awareness: Joint campaigns, production and exchange of road safety materials for road users.
- Institutional Support and Development: Study visits, technical assistance, logistical (equipment) support, mentorship to improve organizational structure and service delivery.
- Cross-Border Road Safety: Collaboration on safety of transit vehicles and harmonization of road safety standards where applicable.
- Additional areas may be included by mutual written consent.
ARTICLE 3: IMPLEMENTATION
- Each Party shall appoint a Focal Person to coordinate all activities under this MoU.
- Annual Work Plans detailing specific activities, timelines, and responsibilities shall be jointly developed and approved.
- Activities shall be subject to availability of funds and compliance with laws of each country.
ARTICLE 4: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
- Unless otherwise agreed in writing, each Party shall bear its own costs related to activities under this MoU.
- Joint projects may be funded through grants, donor support, or cost-sharing arrangements mutually agreed.
ARTICLE 5: CONFIDENTIALITY
All information marked confidential by either Party shall be treated as such and shall not be disclosed to third parties without prior written approval.
ARTICLE 6: EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION
- This MoU shall come into force on the date of signing and shall remain valid for five (5) years.
- It may be renewed for further periods by mutual written agreement before expiry.
ARTICLE 7: TERMINATION
- Either Party may terminate this MoU by giving six months written notice.
- Termination shall not affect ongoing activities unless otherwise agreed.
- Amendments shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by both Parties.
ARTICLE 8: DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute arising from interpretation or implementation shall be resolved amicably through consultation and negotiation between the designated Focal Persons and Management of both Parties.
ARTICLE 9: APPLICATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
- The Parties acknowledge that this Memorandum of Understanding does not impose any legal obligation which is enforceable in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction or Forum of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- The Parties may have similar understanding with other agencies or institutions as they solely may decide.
- The Parties indicate agreement with this MOU by their respective signatures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have signed this Memorandum of Understanding in two original copies in English language, both being equally authentic.
FOR THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS
Name:
Title: Corps Marshal
Signature:
Date:
Official Seal
WITNESSED BY
Name:
Title:
Signature:
Date:
FOR THE SIERRA LEONE ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY
Name:
Title: Executive Director
Signature:
Date:
Official Seal
WITNESSED BY
Name:
Title:
Signature:
