She said as usual when there is a change of government there are always these stories around as investigation of businesses is carried out.
“I want to state categorically that Westminster is fully owned British company just like Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal Ltd. (NSBT) that is doing bulk cargo in Sierra Leone. We started working in Sierra Leone when International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was at the verge of blacklisting Lungi airport. Westminster was then contracted by the then government and since that time to date we have brought sanity and people travelling to and fro from Lungi are now confident of their luggages to be received in one piece.”
Miss Barrie said Westminster is operating in 50 countries around the world and they have started operations long before the APC came to power so it is absurd for people to link the company to any former government official.
“We have been going our job in the country devoid of politics and the successes we have had is down to the professionalism and the standard we have been operating across the world. We have 165 workers of which we have only three foreign staff because we believe in the Local Content Policy of Sierra Leone.”
The Admin Director averred that the entire Board of Directors are British and MOU and other documents are all British related not only in Sierra Leone but all the other countries they are operating.
The British Chamber of Commerce Sierra Leone Chairman Idrissa Kamara who also doubles as the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank has said that Westminster is one of the British companies registered and operating in Sierra Leone and they know it is a fully British owned company in Sierra Leone.
Also Guy Warrington who is the British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone has said that people should stop the rumours of associating Westminster Group to politicians in Sierra Leone because no Sierra Leonean has any business with the company. He said as the name implies it is a British name and has no bearing to Sierra Leoneans.
Miss Barrie said they are appealing to those linking the company to politicians to stop because that will not change the company’s profile and they will continue to serve the nation as they are doing in other countries because they believe in excellence and performance.
“We have nothing to do with politics and no politician has shares in this company so we want all and sundry to note that and we are here serving Sierra Leone and not politicians or political party. Westminster will continue its job to make sure that the airport is safe for all passengers travelling as well as keeping their luggages intact always. We hope to be in Sierra Leone for a long time as we continue to perform at the highest level.”
The Westminster Group is a specialist security and services group operating worldwide through an international network of agents and offices in over 50 countries.
Westminster’s principal activity is the design, supply and on-going support of advanced technology security solutions, encompassing a wide range of surveillance, detection, tracking and interception technologies and the provision of long-term managed services contracts such as the management and running of complete security services and solutions in airports, ports and other such facilities together with the provision of manpower, consultancy and training services.
Westminster predominately works with governments and government agencies, non-governmental organisations, NGO’s and blue chip commercial organisations worldwide.
