AYV News February 10, 2023
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified several air service agreements and Memoranda of Understanding between the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and other countries around the world all geared towards the development of the Aviation sector of the country.
Presenting the agreements, prior to ratification the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Aviation, Rex Bonapha said over the years these agreements were made to bid on all air transportation agreements around the world, in order to boost the Aviation Industry.
He maintained that the objective of the agreements is to enhance the wider economic development of both nations, adding that the agreements have no financial burden on the state but rather meant to facilitate air transport and it intended economic benefits.
Highlighting the bilateral agreements between the nations on economic development, Deputy Minister said that the agreements would facilitate world trade, promote tourism and improve supply chains within and outside the country.
Members of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Maada Ambrose Lebbie applauded the Transport Ministry for bringing the agreements to Parliament for ratification.
He noted that the agreements have no additional cost to the Government and People of Sierra Leone, adding that the said agreements are non-controversial and that the International Civil Aviation Organisation was established to regulate the air traffic agreements.
He commended the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for rebranding the Aviation Industry with a brand-new airport of international standard.
The Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers, in his submission commended the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for it strives towards a resilient and sustainable transport infrastructure in the country.
He said the Ministry has ratified most Air Agreements with other sister countries to meet international obligations.
He encouraged the Aviation Industry to establish an airline that would carry the flag of the country and be owned by the people of Sierra Leone.
Acting Leader of the main opposition, Hon. Hassan Sesay said the agreements are many, but they are there to improve on the development of the country’s aviation sector.
He maintained that as an opposition they would continue to support good agreements for the people of Sierra Leone, adding that the high cost of air tickets in Sierra Leone compare to other countries in the sub-region is worrisome.
He called on the Speaker of the House to probe more into the issue and called on the appropriate authority to take necessary actions.
Hon. Dr. Mark- Mahmoud Kalokoh maintained that as opposition party, they would always support agreements meant for national development, adding that the said agreements had no financial implication on the Government and the people of Sierra Leone.
Leader of NGC, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella commended the Government through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for the massive infrastructural development of the New Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko district, noting that the benefits in these agreements are huge and would link export potential zone and improve economic stability for the nation.
He called on the Ministry to look on the issue of the high air tickets price in Sierra Leone than other sub-regional countries.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie said these agreements would help develop the aviation sector of Sierra Leone and other nations.
He emphasised that some agreements signed by previous governments are now affecting the government and people of Sierra Leone, calling on the Ministry of Transport to review some of the airport agreements, to ameliorate the existing situation.
He maintained that the operation of the new Airport would enable tax reduction and create more capacities and infrastructural development of the country’s aviation sector.
The Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania; Record of Discussions between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United Republic of Tanzania; Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Czech Republic; Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique; Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Mozambique; Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Republic of Kenya; Records of Discussions between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Kenya; Bilateral Air Services between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of Iceland; Records of Discussions between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of Iceland; and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Republic of Niger, are the Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding which were laid on diverse dates in Parliament that are now approved by the House of Parliament.
