By Mabinty M. Kamara
There is confusion at the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) after the controversial suspension of its substantive Executive Director.
The agency’s supervising ministry – Transport and Aviation – sparked the controversy when it declared Ken Philip Sondai, the Executive Director, suspended and temporarily appointed his deputy, Mr Festus Crosbie, as Executive Director.
That decision, Politico learnt, was countered by the board of the agency which claimed the mandate to appoint or sack the occupant of the top seat of the agency that regulates maritime affairs in the country.
In a letter dated May 8, a copy of which was obtained by Politico, SLMA Board Chairman Alhaji Umaru Dumbuya noted that Sondai remains the Executive Director of the institution until further notice.
“If there are any changes, you will be duly informed by the board,” the letter addressed to the directors and staff of the agency reads in part.
The letter which was copied to, among others, the Chief Minister, Secretary to the President, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, and the Deputy Executive Director of SLMA, stressed that the staff of SLMA should take directives from Sondai and no one else.
However, an internal memo from the Director of Admin and Human Resource of SLMA, dated 9th May, which was also seen by Politico, countered the Board Chairman’s letter, insisting to the staff that the Deputy Executive Director is Acting Executive Director.
Ken Philip Sondai would not comment further than that he had gone home, when contacted by Politico on Wednesday, May 14.
The reason for Sondai’s removal by the ministry is not known. But sources
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