New fire engine on full display
By Bampia James Bundu
The minister of transport and aviation, Leonard Balogun Koroma on Tuesday commission a new "sides fire engine" for the Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA).
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Lungi International Airport, Mr. Koroma said that in March this year, a "Notice to Air Men" (NOTAM) was issued for the downgrading of the Lungi International Airport fire fighting capacity from category 7, which is the basic requirement for larger aircraft to land, to category 5 meant for smaller aircrafts. Mr. Koroma pointed out that as a result of the downgrading, Kenya and British Airways cancelled a total of three flights to Sierra Leone while six other international flights continued their operations, which he said was an embarrassment that they decided to address immediately. As a response to the embarrassment, the minister said a new fire engine that meets international standards was purchased directly from the factory in France. He called on the fire department of the airport to take good care of the engine, adding that its cost the government a huge amount of money. Mr. Koroma assured that they would purchase another fire engine by the end of this year. SLAA's chief aerodrome fire officer, Adikali Mohamed Smart Kamara describe the new fire engine as "sophisticated with a central control driving facility," which he said was uncommon in the sub-region, adding that the engine has room for three crews including the driver in the middle with the other two fire fighters on both sides operating different equipment either from the cab or outside the vehicle. Mr. Kamara assured the minister of transport and aviation, SLAA and other relevant stakeholders that they would ensure the maintenance and good upkeep the engine at all times.
SLAA's general manager, John S.A. Sesay commended the efforts of the government and the board of trustees for ensuring that the new fire engine is secured. He also thanked the National Fire Force for lending them one of their fire engines when they were in crisis. Mr. Sesay said that with the purchase of a new fire engine they are confidence that such an embarrassment would not occur again. Chairman, Parliament Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Tunde Lewally commended all the stakeholders who in diverse ways have contributed in ensuring that the new fire engine arrived in the country. He said as an oversight committee, they were concerned when the airport was degraded and for which they set up a committee to look into the matter. "Very soon we will come out with our findings," he said. Hon Lewally thanked all the fire fighters at the airport for their "selfless job in ensuring that they maintain safety at the airport."
(C) Politico 29/05/14
