President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has commended the transport sector for its commitment to innovation, modernization and improved service delivery, following a tour of the Transport Sector Booth at the National Civic Festival 2025.
The President made the remarks on Thursday, December 11, 2025, while touring the Technology, Innovation and Infrastructure Zone at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building, during the official opening of the second edition of the National Civic Festival in Freetown. The festival, organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, brought together Government institutions, Civil Society Organizations and the public to promote civic awareness, transparency and accountability.
Welcoming President Bio to the Transport Sector Booth, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for organizing the festival. He described the initiative as a vital platform that bridges the gap between Government institutions and citizens, allowing the public to better understand the mandates, reforms and achievements of key service-delivery ministries.
Deputy Minister Rex Bhonapha outlined the core responsibilities of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and highlighted the nine agencies operating under its supervision. He noted that the Civic Festival provides a unique opportunity for the ministry and its agencies to showcase ongoing reforms, digital innovations and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing transport services across Sierra Leone. According to him, those reforms are designed to improve efficiency, safety, transparency and customer experience in the transport sector.
During the tour, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Bio, briefed the President on the agency’s expanding digital transformation agenda. President Bio observed a live demonstration of the newly digitized driver’s licence acquisition process, which includes biometric registration and verification. He was also shown the mobile vehicle station used to decentralize services and reduce congestion at fixed centres.
The SLRSA Executive Director further explained the enhanced security features embedded in vehicle number plates and the use of handheld verification devices by road safety corps personnel. Those technologies, he said, are helping to authenticate driver’s licences in real time, reduce fraud and improve compliance with road safety regulations nationwide.
Officials from the aviation sector also engaged the President, providing updates on the mandate, progress and achievements of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in the area of air transport. They highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen safety oversight, enhance regulatory compliance and improve aviation services in line with international standards, as part of Sierra Leone’s broader agenda to modernize its transport infrastructure.
Speaking on sector-wide achievements, the Senior Information Officer of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Mahmoud Kamara, drew attention to the recently launched maiden edition of the ministry’s magazine. He explained that the publication documents major reforms, technological innovations and milestones recorded across the transport sector, serving as both a public information tool and a record of institutional progress.
Additionally, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Dr. Daniel Kaitibi, briefed President Bio on initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security. He emphasized that the administration remains focused on improving regulatory enforcement, safeguarding sea routes and ensuring the welfare and safety of sea travelers and maritime operators.
In his remarks, President Bio praised the transport sector for embracing technology and innovation to enhance efficiency, transparency and public safety. He encouraged sustained collaboration among sector institutions and urged them to continue pursuing reforms that deliver tangible benefits to citizens. The President reiterated that a modern, reliable and safe transport system is critical to economic growth, social mobility and national development.
The National Civic Festival served as a platform for public education, civic engagement and dialogue, while it promoted accountability through direct interaction between citizens and state institutions.
