By Ishmael Dumbuya
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kambineh Kallon, has stated that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has presented a draft report on Aviation Safety and Security to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. He said the report indicated that Sierra Leone has moved from 16 percent in 2014 to 74 percent in 2023.
In his statement on Radio Democracy, he explained that the International Civil Aviation Organization was hosted by the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, in order to assess the security and safety state of the country’s aviation system, noting that the audit has been part of them since 2018 when President Bio was elected president.
Minister Kallon concluded by thanking President Bio for reforming the country’s aviation system and leading them into the right direction.
He added that after the final report that will be presented by ICAO, he hopes to see Sierra Leone moves over 90 percent.
He added that the report pinpoints how best they as an institution have worked to highlight the effectiveness and efficiency of the aviation authority in the country.
He went on to state that the recommendations made by ICAO will be properly looked into and adopted to enhance the smooth running of the aviation authority.
In his own remarks, the Director General of Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Moses Tifa Bayoh, explained that ICAO started the assessment of Sierra Leone’s aviation system from May 12th to June 12th this year. He went on to state that the audit assessment covers five state institutions, namely; the Airport Authority, the State Metrological Agency, the National Disaster Management Agency, and Robert FYR that is based in Liberia.
He added that 74 percent is a big lead as compared to the previous years, noting that there is now a modernized airport. He therefore commended the efforts of all stakeholders at state level.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
