By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Wednesday 16th December 2020 after intensive debate in Parliament over the Lungi Freetown International Airport expansion project agreement, which is aimed at broadening the scope to meet international standard, MPs then ratified the agreement.
The following agreement was ratified by Parliament:
1. Build-Operate-Transfer Agreement for the Construction, Financing and Concession of Freetown International Airport by and Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and Summa Airports (SL) Limited, Dated 12th November 2020
Presenting the agreement prior to ratification, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sadiq Sillah, said the new proposed construction of the Freetown International Airport would focus mainly on the construction of a new passenger terminal with the aim of targeting three million people, construction of a VIP/Presidential lounge, resealing of the runway, construction of the taxi way, a new airport traffic terminal, search and rescue fire force unit, rehabilitation of the car park and road safety and its signs.
The Minister said the new airport, when completed, would benefit the people of Sierra Leone and provide over two thousand job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans; adding that it would boost the tourism sector and provide government with much needed revenue. The Minister also said the new airport, when completed, would serve as a hub for cargo planes in the sub-region.
Making his submission to the debate, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, Chairman Transport and Aviation Committee, commended President Bio for transforming the image of the country positively; adding that there would be a unit to monitor the operational activities of the Airport; saying the project is not a white elephant, but a real one under the canopy of the “New Direction Government”.
On his part, Hon. Dr. Roland Kargbo commended President Bio for the initiative relative to infrastructural development and described the project as “a fine agreement”. He decried the huge concession waiver given to the company and the huge money that is involved in the implementation of the project.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma said the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) in the agreement is good for the country and commended the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for the agreement. He cautioned the government on employment and other benefits it stands to lose, and called on MPs not to ratify the agreement given its economic disadvantages to the country.
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, announced that Sierra Leone has passed the compact scorecard and applauded the government and the people of Sierra Leone for the fight against corruption. On the project, he said the airport is just like the Toll Gate agreement, and underscored that the agreement would benefit the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo commended the government for the agreement, taking into consideration the enormous advantages the agreement has to offer to the people of Sierra Leone, but decried the huge financial consequences it would have on the government, Sierra Leone Airport Authority and Aviation Authority. He also implored the government to revisit and review the agreement, because it is lacking in its Corporate Social Responsibilities for the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Charles Conteh said the new proposed expansion of the Airport is not viable for the People of Sierra Leone and outlined several factors in the agreement that would serve as impediment for development in the country.
In his contribution, Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers, said the expansion of the new airport project would boost the tourism sector, and allayed the fears of the opposition that no staff of the Authority would be laid-off. He also said the new airport would make Sierra Leone proud and give the country a new face-lift.
In rounding up the debate, Hon. Chernor R.M Bah, Leader of Opposition, subscribed and supported the idea of establishing a new airport and spoke on the need for the accessibility of the airport. He said other countries in the sub-region have constructed brand new airports from loan agreements and called for a better inland airport; considering time spent to reach one’s destination. “I’m not opposed to the agreement, but I want an airport that is quickly accessible within a definite location”, he stressed.
Concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said during the ratification of the Toll Gate agreement by the previous government, as opposition then, they only critique the agreement, but they didn’t oppose the project. He said the airport expansion agreement is very clear and viable for the nation; whilst underscoring the enormous benefits it would bring to the people of Sierra Leone. He called on the opposition to collectively join the government to ratify the agreement as it would stand the test of time.
