SIERRA LEONE WOMEN IN AVIATION (SLWIA) HOLDS ITS FIRST FOD AWARENESS DAY
The Management of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) has launched an Airport Safety Awareness Initiative for the Lungi Community in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom.
In a meeting held at the residence of the Paramount Chief, Member of Parliament (PCMP), Port Loko District, Hon. Bai Shebora Sheba Gbereh (111), the General Manager of SLAA, Mr. Jack D.K Massaquoi informed that the initiative was a deliberate move to ward off potential dangers that communities constitute to Airport Operations. He said that incidents of breaking into the Airport fence and stealing Airport properties such as LED lights, solar panels of the bird deterrents, and the habit of throwing garbage into the fence of the Airport by the community, form part of the main reasons for engaging the Community on a sensitization drive.
"Freetown International Airport is the main bread and butter element in the community and as such, it needs to be protected by the community. Its safety and security are very paramount and that can only be achieved through with community involvement."
The Local Unit Commander of Anvil Division, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Musa James encouraged the community stakeholders to take on the responsibility to engage their people with this sensitization drive and for them to become partners in development. He said that safety can only be achieved when there is minimal if not the eradication of security risk (s).
Mr. Augustine James representing the Office of National Security (ONS), explained that these issues are of national interest because the FNA is a very delicate institution that has national and international linings.
The Chiefdom Speaker, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom who is also a Board Member of the SLAA, Chief Pa Komrabai Maylie Kamara in his statement explained that this initiative is in place and that it was similarly very timely, stating that all the Section Chiefs of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, whose areas surround the Airport were in attendance and that the information gathered from the meeting will be disseminated diligently, which will ensure the taking of robust and swift actions.
The PCMP remarked and thanked the Management of SLAA for the initiative, and referred to it as a step that will instill confidence in the minds of the traveling public. He further expressed commitment to engage with the community through the various Section Chiefs, to provide support, and community security to the Airport environment.
The Deputy General Manager of SLAA, Mr. Bobson Kargbo in the closing courtesies thanked the Community Stakeholders, Staffs and members of the fourth estate present in the meeting, and expressed management's commitment to look into some the concerns raised by the community, and assured the community of management's support to promote and achieve the motives of the initiative.
