By Amin Kef Sesay
The Westminster Aviation Security Services (WASS) has donated a Sanitary Gate worth thousands of pounds to the Freetown International Airport at Lungi on Thursday 23rd October, 2020.
Board Chairman of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA), Edward Lebbie Williams, who chaired the meeting, said the gesture was one of its kinds and the Government appreciated it very much.
Talking about the Sanitary Gate, the Country Manager Musayeroh Barrie averred that the donation is in fulfilment of her company’s commitment to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in June this year.
Miss Barrie noted that as new cases of COVID 19 lingers in the West; the aviation security outfit deems it expedient to make significant contributions to the fight against the importation of the virus through the country’s only Gateway via air transport.
“The Sanitary Gate will enhance passenger confidence to travel to the country and build on our expected air traffic recovery for our common growth. And this is a tunnel that is going to be a model for many countries in the world. This Sanitizing Tunnel meets the WHO specifications and will bring passenger confidence in the country.”
The acting General Manager of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority Jack Massaquoi expressed thanks and appreciation to the British Aviation Security firm for such an impressive impact they have brought to the airport.
“I am encouraging other players in the sector to emulate such donations and join hands to support the airport particularly during this pandemic”.
Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Moses Tiffa Baio, said that the donation from WASS is considered as a promise made and a promise delivered.
The DG expressed gratitude on behalf of the Sierra Leone aviation industry and expressed hope that the Sanitizing Tunnel will effectively serve the traveling public.
“The arrival of WASS has added value to our aviation security standards as evident in the recent Apex security audit of the airport”. Baio added that WASS has been working closely with SLCAA and State Security Organizations to enhance airport security by providing a level of expertise which has brought the country’s aviation security to international standards.
Commissioning the Sanitary Gate the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon thanked WASS and disclosed that the equipment is the first in West Africa sub-region and Sierra Leone is amongst a handful of countries that is using it around the world.
“The gains we have made so far in the COVID-19 fight can be sustainable with our constant investment in health technology and our compliance to aviation health guidelines. This novel technology will boost both passenger and airline confidence and will help combat the spread of the virus in the country,” he said.
The Sanitary Gate adds to the number of health precautionary measures available in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. A sanitary gate is a tested, safe and effective method to sanitize people and objects in five seconds, killing up to 90 percent of pathogen microbes.
Head of Managed Service Division for the Westminster Group and Trustee of the Westminster Foundation , Joanna Fowler, said Westminster is delighted to be able to offer its support to the Government of Sierra Leone with the donation of a Sanitization Tunnel to the Sierra Leone Airport Authority. The aim of this donation is to assist with the efforts to suppress the COVID 19 pandemic and make Freetown International Airport (FNA) a safer environment.
“The Sanitisation Tunnel is just one of the defence mechanisms that have been put in place at Lungi airport to help stop the spread of the virus. If we all work together and remain vigilant, we can look forward to a return to normal levels of operations in 2021.”
She said the donation was made through Westminster Foundation which is the charitable arm of The Westminster Group PLC. The Westminster Foundation has been actively supporting charitable causes in Sierra Leone for many years including donations of food and stable commodities during the lockdown in the early stages of the COVID pandemic outbreak in Sierra Leone.
The Foundation also provided support during the Ebola Crisis and continues to work with many local projects providing funding and equipment wherever it can.
“The COVID 19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on the aviation industry worldwide and the Westminster Group have been at the forefront of the fight to return businesses back to work both in the UK and Worldwide. This is why we wanted to assist Lungi Airport in giving its stakeholders and passengers some reassurance that steps are being taken to protect its staff and passengers alike”.
“We have been part of the Lungi family now for many years and we will stand together in the fight against COVID just as we did during the EBOLA crisis. The world is united in its fight against this pandemic. Together we are stronger and together we will suppress this virus”
