The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Colonel (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay, has called on the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and aviation operators to intensify preparations for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement held on August 3, 2026, at the Ministry’s office on the seventh floor of Youyi Building in Freetown, the Minister stressed that Sierra Leone must improve on its previous performance and demonstrate significant progress in aviation safety and security.
The meeting brought together the Director-General of the SLCAA and key operators within Sierra Leone’s transport and aviation sector to discuss the country’s readiness for the forthcoming international audit.
Minister Turay described the audit as a critical national assignment requiring the full commitment, cooperation and active participation of every institution operating within the aviation sector.
“We have a huge task ahead of us. We must improve on our previous figures. During the last ICAO audit, Sierra Leone scored 71 per cent on safety and 72 per cent on security,” he said.
The Minister noted that the country now has new aviation operators, modern equipment and stronger institutional capacity, which should contribute to improved performance during the 2027 assessment.
“We now have new operators, modern equipment and stronger institutional capacity, so we must do better. We are moving from where we are to the top, and that will only happen through hard work, coordination and commitment,” Minister Turay stated.
He urged the SLCAA, airport authorities, airline companies, ground-handling firms, security agencies and other stakeholders to take the preparatory process seriously and ensure full compliance with international safety, security and operational standards.
According to the Minister, success in the ICAO audit will depend on effective coordination among regulatory institutions, service providers and security agencies. He called on stakeholders to identify existing gaps, strengthen internal systems and address outstanding compliance issues before the audit.
Minister Turay reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s aviation sector through continuous investment, regulatory reforms, institutional development and closer collaboration with industry partners.
He said the Government’s broader objective is to position Sierra Leone as a safe, reliable and competitive aviation hub within the West African region.
Director-General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Musayeroh Barrie, also underscored the national importance of the forthcoming audit, noting that its outcome would extend beyond the aviation industry and reflect the country’s commitment to international standards and best practices.
“This is a very important event for the State, so we need to take it very seriously,” Barrie said.
She encouraged aviation operators, regulatory institutions and other agencies to work collectively to ensure Sierra Leone records a stronger performance during the 2027 audit.
The engagement reaffirmed the Ministry of Transport and Aviation’s determination to work closely with the SLCAA and other stakeholders to strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance aviation safety and security, and secure a higher ICAO compliance score that reflects the country’s ongoing reforms.
