Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh today chaired a high-level problem-solving meeting with key stakeholders to address congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and agree on practical reforms to improve port efficiency, facilitate trade, and support the delivery of the Government’s Big Five Game Changers.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay, Esq., Judith Kosseh, Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Alpha Yayah Bangura, Harbour Master, SLPHA, Mohamed A. Salia, Managing Director of Global Freight, representatives of ITAO, and other public and private sector stakeholders.
“Our goal is to bring everyone together to identify the problems and solve them,” the Chief Minister said. “We are here to define the challenges, agree on practical solutions, and improve the efficiency of our port operations.”
Government agreed on several immediate measures, including extending container exit hours, allowing additional foreign-owned trucks into the market, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, reviewing banking hours to speed up cargo clearance, and strengthening penalties to deter practices that contribute to congestion.
Harbour Master Alpha Yayah Bangura noted that congestion has been driven by a sharp increase in cargo volumes, larger vessels, and limited port space. He disclosed that the port now handles about 9,000 containers per month, compared to approximately 2,000 during the same period last year, reflecting Sierra Leone’s expanding economy and growing regional trade.
Representatives of ITAO also highlighted operational challenges affecting transport operators and reaffirmed their commitment to working with Government to improve cargo movement and port efficiency.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to implement reforms that will enhance trade facilitation, reduce the cost of doing business, strengthen logistics, and position Sierra Leone as a more competitive regional trade hub in support of sustainable economic growth and the delivery of the Government’s ‘’Big Five Game Changers’’.
