The Native Consortium has challenged the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to provide evidence supporting claims that 40 Waka Fine buses are currently in operation. In a public notice dated October 1, 2026, the Consortium questioned the basis of the claim made by SLPTA representative Ken Green during an interview with Truth Media. The Consortium called for the publication of dispatch reports and throughput analyses showing the number of buses deployed each day between 2025 and 2026.
The Consortium specifically asked Green and the Ministry to provide records showing when 40 buses were deployed per day, saying such documents would allow the public to independently verify the reported level of operations. This request comes after the Consortium claimed that 11 Waka Fine buses have been grounded and had parts removed since 2024. The buses identified by the Consortium are registered as AWD 742, AWD 730, AWD 744, AWD 728, AWD 749, AWD 723, AWD 747, AWD 737, AWD 733, AWD 727 and AWD 743.
The Consortium further revisited its longstanding concerns about the Waka Fine bus procurement, stating that it had raised questions about the deal since February 2, 2024. It questioned how newly acquired buses could reportedly experience serious mechanical problems, including power steering failures, while also questioning the reported cost of $7.5 million for 50 buses. The Consortium's concerns highlight ongoing issues surrounding the Waka Fine bus fleet's availability and maintenance.
On bus availability, the Consortium claimed that the last time 40 Waka Fine buses were deployed was in May 2024. It further alleged that passengers only saw 35 buses operating on September 1, 2, 3 and 6, 2026. According to the organisation, these figures could be verified through official dispatch reports and throughput analyses. The Consortium's claims suggest a discrepancy between the reported number of buses in operation and the actual number available to passengers.
The Native Consortium also questioned the reported one-year warranty on the buses, asking why mechanical problems allegedly remain unresolved if the vehicles are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. It further questioned the relationship between the manufacturer and Sierra Leone, asking why, according to its claim, the manufacturer was allegedly unable to recognise Sierra Leone as a client. These questions raise concerns about the buses' maintenance and the procurement process.
The Consortium called on the relevant authorities to make the requested operational and procurement records available to the public, saying the information would help clarify the actual number of Waka Fine buses in service and address concerns surrounding their availability and maintenance. The Native Consortium's challenge highlights the need for transparency in the management of Sierra Leone's public transportation system.
The issue has sparked concerns among the public, with many awaiting the SLPTA's response to the Consortium's claims. The SLPTA and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation have yet to comment on the Consortium's allegations. The public's access to accurate information about the Waka Fine bus operations will depend on the authorities' response to the Consortium's requests.
Key points
- Native Consortium challenges SLPTA's claim of 40 Waka Fine buses in operation
- Consortium requests dispatch reports and throughput analyses to verify claims
- Concerns raised about bus maintenance, procurement, and manufacturer's warranty
