By Alpha Abu
The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer has visited Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay at Cline Town, east of the capital Freetown to familiarise herself with the general operations of the country’s foremost seaport.
The US Ambassador met with the key players at the port and held informative and fruitful engagements with them. At a special ceremony to receive the Envoy, the General Manager of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA), Dr. Abdulai Fofana briefed the ambassador on the day-to-day challenges he encountered when he took up office some three years ago. He spoke about the extensive reforms including private sector inclusion that have taken place in the various departments at the quay, with private operators now carrying out key functions. He said operational and maritime safety together with security needs have all experienced progressive changes.
Dr. Fofana also said he inherited a string of challenges that he has been trying to address on a daily basis.
SLPA Deputy General Manager, Yankuba Askia Bio in his statement, spoke about the close working relationship between the port management and the United States Coast Guard. He cited the endorsement the port received from the Coast Guard in the recent past for international safety standards and worthy security adherence and compliance.
Bio mentioned the streamlining of business transactions they have initiated with the introduction of what he called a single-window system that provides a single entry point for all import and export transactions.
Ambassador Reimer was also briefed about the measures the port management instituted to address environmental issues around the vast complex. Of particular concern to the management has been the pollution of the sea from oil and garbage disposal and clay mining around the facility, which Bio said a Committee has been set up headed by the Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa to look into that aspect of pollution.
The Country Manager of Bollore which operates the Freetown Container Terminal, Bertrand Kerguelen spoke about the transformation that has taken place since 2011. He said a new sophisticated terminal that costs 120 million dollars has been built that has eased and enhanced container handling at the port.
Other officials at the quay explained the operations of their various departments. The US Ambassador was also informed about the challenges the port complex is encountering including acts of piracy notably along the Gulf of Guinea, the presence of seaweeds that affect ships sailing to and from the port.
Copyright © 2022 Politico 07/02/22
