The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation on Wednesday 1st July 2026 engaged Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) and Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) at their different offices in Freetown.
The engagement forms part of the Committee’s oversight mandate to ensure that Ministries Departments and Agencies deliver services efficiently in the best interest of citizens who are the electorates.
During his opening remarks at the Sierra Leone Port and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), the Committee Chairman Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers who is the Chief Whip in Parliament and also representing the people of Pujehun district said that the engagement is centered around operational performance, revenue collection, safety compliance and the implementation of government policy on port efficiency.
Hon. Rogers informed his audience that Parliament expects transparency, accountability and measurable results. He furthered that the people of Sierra Leone depends on the ports for trade, revenue and livelihoods. He assured the management at SLPHA that the Committee will hold all institutions accountable where there are gabs in service delivery.
On his part, the Company Secretary of the Sierra Leone Port and Harbours Authority Martin Maada George thanked the visiting team and assured them of service delivery to the citizens of this country. He apologized to the Committee Chairman for the absence of the Director General and the Deputy Director General.
He outlined progress made on cargo handling, terminal operations and efforts to reduce vessel turnaround time at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
A major part of the inspection was a site visit to Bolloré Transport & Logistics, the terminal operator at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay. The Committee inspected container yards, customs clearance processes, and storage facilities to understand the causes of the “alarming cry of containers going demurrage,” as Hon. Rogers described it.
Demurrage charges have become a major concern for importers and traders, raising the cost of goods and causing delays in the supply chain. Committee members questioned terminal operators and SLPHA officials on documentation delays, inadequate storage space, and coordination gaps between port agencies.
“We came to see for ourselves why containers are overstaying and attracting huge charges. If the bottleneck is policy, we will legislate. If it is management, then action must be taken,” Hon. Rogers stated.
Members of the Committee said the inspection would continue with other stakeholders in the transport and aviation sector. A detailed report with recommendations is expected to be presented to Parliament.
Hon. Rogers assured stakeholders that the Committee’s goal is not to witch-hunt but to improve efficiency. “A functional port means cheaper goods, more jobs, and increased government revenue. That is what Sierra Leoneans deserve,” he concluded.
Visiting the Sierra Leone Maritimes Authority, the Committee Chairman Hon. Alhaji Dickson Momoh Rogers gave the responsibility of chairmanship to Hon. Momoh Bockarie. Making his opening remakes said that SLMA is doing well compared to past years. He said that the leadership is doing well. He said notwithstanding the Committee has to perform it functions.
Briefing the Committee, the Executive Director of SLMA Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi talked about the on ongoing reforms to improve vessel registration, Maritime safety audits, and compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.
He said that through capacity building, research driven policy, and strategic partnership, SLMA is fostering a skilled, competent, and forward looking Maritime workforce. He added that from training seafarers in safety and security to implementing innovative initiatives their goal is to ensure that Sierra Leone remains a safe, sustainable, and competitive Maritime hub.
