Ministry of Transport and Aviation Retreat Strengthening Transport Sector
From the 1st - 3rd October, 2020, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation convened a high level retreat on performance management of its sectors at the J & E Resort, Bo.
The Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) is one of the Public Enterprises in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. It Public Enterprises comprise of both regulatory and service delivery institutions. These institutions are:
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA ), The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), The Sierra Leone Ports Authority(SLPA),The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), The Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation ( SLRTC), The Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSC) and The Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency(SLMet).
The Theme of the Retreat was "ACCELERATING PERFORMANCE DELIVERY IN THE TRANSPORT AND AVIATION SECTOR". One of the objectives of the Retreat was to ensure greater synergy between the Ministry and its Agencies on issues around broader transport environments in which they are operating. With newer challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ministry needed to give opportunities to its sector representatives to present their work plans, tailored for the implementation of sector strategies, reflect on flagged points previously highlighted in meetings and to assess how far sectors have gone on action points and commitments drawn.
In his opening courtesies, the Senior Permanent Secretary of the MOTA, Mr. Brima M. Sowa explained that in strengthening state institutions particularly within the transport sector, the decision making process, policy making and information flows is critical. He emphasised on the need to keep in view the Retreat Objectives during deliberations and made a firm commitment that the Ministry will keep promoting its strategic and policy oversight.
Chairing, the first day session, Mr John Sumailia, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Civil Service, encouraged participants to bring forth their accumulated knowledge and proffer solutions. With the age of technology, he further asked them to deepen their exposure to innovation, and inculcate the culture of doing Government's business differently.
Delivering his Keynote address, the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Kabineh M. Kallon, underscored the need to harness opportunities and coordinate with the sectors in accelerating service delivery. This he maintained will meet the expectations of His Excellency the President "I urged all Department & Agencies under my Ministry to be in total compliance and adherence to H.E’s call for accelerated service delivery in the year 2020 and beyond. Drawing on a number of specific cases, let our sessions with you the experienced practitioners in the different Agencies provide us with the much needed corporate governance, related inputs that guide your speed in various projects".
He declared the MoTA 2020 Retreat opened and outlined the objectives, expected outcomes and sessions format.
Present at the retreat and providing valuable resources and presentations were the Honourable Minister Dr Francis Kaikai, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Mohamed K Allie Resident Minister Southern Region, Hon Maada Lebbie, Chairman Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation, Mr. Sahr Jusu Financial Secretary, Mr Ansu Tucker from the HRMO, Ms Elizabeth M Yajah from TIDU, Mr Hindolo Shiaka from TIDU.
Honourable Sadiq Sillah, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation led the second day of the retreat and commenced the presentations of all MDAs. Delivering the Sierra Leone Airports Authority presentation, the Acting General Manager Mr. Jack Massaquoi, highlighted his Institution's achievements that were recently attained before the Pandemic.
o Purchase of a New Fire engine, which upgraded the Airport Fire Category from Cat 7 to Cat 8.
o Introduction of an Automated Car Park Service.
o Construction of a Holding Facility for Meters and Greeters.
o An Improved Flight Information Display System (FIDs).
o Adequate Space Allocation to NRA for their Operations.
o Establishment of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for strategic meetings.
o Refurbished the Fire and Rescue Department to appreciable standards.
Speaking on the challenges that the Airport is currently facing, the Ag. General Manager made mention of the upcoming FNA CERTIFICATION as a Strategic Project of the Airport, but needs urgent Government support. He disclosed that there are challenges in its Revenue Generating stream, as 35% of the Authority's revenue has been lost to the reduction of Airport Landing charges in a bid to stimulate Air traffic.
“With the devastating impact of the COVID 19 on the Air Transport industry this revenue loss has been further heightened by the drastic fall in passenger volume, which is having a major impact on our airlines and the Airport. For the past few months, the Freetown International Airport has been operating near a zero-revenue environment that has negatively impacted our ability to generate cash and preserve liquidity. The current lacklustre demand and diminished revenue still needed us to commence a Business Restart program which we successfully accomplished. We have continued to work with our Board, our national regulator the SLCAA and International partners in learning Airport survival strategies during these tough times".
He also spoke on the 50% Salary payment to staff, and commended the bailout from Government. He finally thanked the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for putting forward a collective position for sectors heavily hit by the pandemic.
Tendering his remarks and feedback of the retreat, the Chairman Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Airports Authority Mr. Eddie Williams thanked the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for organizing such a timely Retreat in line with Government's calendar on Service Delivery. He assured the Ministry that lessons and ideas learnt will be translated into concrete actions.
The Honourable Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Kabineh Kallon, gave the closing courtesies in which he thanked and appreciated all the MDAs, Special Invitees and Resource persons for their remarkable contributions and the overall success of the Retreat.
