By Amin Kef Sesay
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, has underscored the importance of aviation safety, community participation and sustained Government investment in transforming Lungi into a thriving economic and aviation hub.
SLCAA DG made the remarks during a special Civic Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, under: The Civic Day Series, held on Monday, May 19, 2026, at St. Augustine School in Tintafor, Lungi.
Addressing residents, community stakeholders and Government officials, the SLCAA Director General commended the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for creating a platform that enables citizens to directly engage with public officials and ask questions on national development issues.
“The Ministry is doing a great job by bringing Government officials to the people for them to ask questions and interact with their leaders,” Musayeroh Barrie said, adding that Lungi has significantly benefited from Government investment and commitment to development.
She noted that the Government’s vision is to transform Lungi into one of the country’s most thriving cities, emphasizing ongoing infrastructural developments including the expansion of the Freetown International Airport, the construction of a state-of-the-art international conference centre and a proposed four-star Hilton hotel.
“We are on the verge of building Lungi into one of the most thriving cities. To honour that commitment, we have a world-class airport here in Lungi and are on the verge of constructing a state-of-the-art international conference centre and a four-star Hilton hotel,” she stated.
Focusing on aviation safety, Musayeroh Barrie emphasized that airport operations require strict compliance with international standards, stressing that the SLCAA’s role as a regulatory authority is to ensure that all airport activities adhere to globally accepted aviation practices.
“Airport is serious business,” she stated. “The safety of every flight depends largely on the work we do on the ground. Our responsibility is to ensure that all agencies and personnel operating at the airport remain attentive to detail and comply with international standards.”
She further called on communities surrounding the airport to support aviation safety by ensuring proper waste disposal and avoiding indiscriminate burning of rubbish near airport facilities.
According to Musayeroh Barrie, poor waste management poses serious risks to aviation, including fire outbreaks and bird strikes; incidents where birds collide with aircraft during landing or takeoff.
“This year, we have experienced several fire incidents and many were caused by indiscriminate burning of waste,” she disclosed. “Improper disposal of waste also attracts birds close to the airport, increasing the risk of bird strikes, which can endanger aircraft during landing and takeoff.”
The SLCAA Director General assured residents that the Authority would intensify community sensitization and outreach programmes to educate people on airport safety and how communities can contribute to protecting aviation infrastructure.
“My commitment today is to open more channels of communication with the Lungi community,” she said. “We want practical workshops involving youths and elders so that communities understand how they can support the growth and safety of the airport.”
On public health preparedness, Musayeroh Barrie revealed that authorities are proactively preparing against potential Ebola threats following reports of outbreaks in parts of Central Africa.
Recalling the devastating effects of the 2014 Ebola outbreak on Sierra Leone’s aviation sector, she said lessons learned have prompted stronger preparedness measures.
“When Mpox emerged, we ensured frontline airport staff were vaccinated and strengthened screening and distancing measures,” she explained. “Following this engagement, we will coordinate the first National Facilitation Committee meeting to strengthen airport preparedness.”
Responding to concerns regarding the resignation of staff from Westminster Aviation Security Services, Barrie clarified that Westminster is an independent private security provider and not a government institution.
She stressed that aviation security breaches are taken seriously due to the risks they pose to public safety, especially in cases involving alleged drug trafficking and attempts to bypass airport security procedures.
“One mistake by a security screener can put many lives at risk,” she warned, adding that anyone implicated in compromising airport security standards would not be permitted to continue working within the aviation sector.
Encouraging students present at the event, Musayeroh Barrie urged young people to pursue careers in engineering, mathematics and science noting that Sierra Leone’s future aviation industry would require homegrown pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers.
“We want an aviation industry that produces its own pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers,” she said. “To achieve that, you must start preparing now.”
