Last night we told you about the directive from the Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie to all police formations to remove all checkpoints countrywide. You also heard from the officer commanding southside who says that his crime fighting checkpoints will remain in place - and only the routine checkpoints will be removed. The CEO in the Ministry of National security told us that there's no sinister motive behind it - and it is simply to reduce the inconvenience to drivers and commuters. The PUP has said that it's very suspicious - and the Chamber of Commerce joined the opposition today. You'll hear shortly what the PUP had to say, but first to the Chamber which sent out a release. The release, says quote, "The recent suspension of vehicular checkpoints by the Commissioner of Police opens the doors for the plague of contraband and illicit goods to be transported uninterrupted throughout the country as well as continued human trafficking." End quote. And while the chamber does agree that checkpoints cause undue delays and fuel consumption, it urges Police to, quote, "seek a solution that allows for effective monitoring and interception of illicit movements without excessive gridlock." End quote.
Well the leader of the opposition wasn't so conservative when we spoke to him today - he says all kinds of crazy stuff can happen when the checkpoints come down:..
Francis Fonseca, PUP Candidate - Freetown
"We are very concerned about it. I've heard all sorts of rumors and speculations, so we are very concern about it. It's strange to say the very least. The timing of it and so we are concern and we think at the very least we deserve a very clear explanation for why it was done from the Commissioner of Police and from the Minister of National Security as to why this was done. My understanding is it was done on the orders of the Prime Minister himself. We need to know why it was done, because there is speculation of people coming in, money coming in, and drinks are flowing free from free zone into different constituencies."
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