By Alieu Amara Suwu
United States of America Coast Guard, a body contracted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)) to conduct safety and security audit on ports around the world, has showered praises on the management of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority for its compliance to international safety and security at the Freetown and other network ports in the country.
This development came following a biannual safety and security audit on the Freetown Port by the US Coast Guard, and a routine muster drill conducted by Sierra Leone maritime security and safety sector including the Office of the National Security (ONS), the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Force (RSLF), the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
Displaying a plaque for the Authority’s commitment and excellence in international maritime safety and security compliance, SLPA General Manager, Dr. Abdulai Fofana informed cross section of journalists that the Freetown Port is top notch in the maritime security and safety business.
He furthered: “I took up office in 2018 when the port was blacklisted for non-compliance with the International maritime security and Safety. I revolutionized the port security and safety sector. In 2019, we made a pass on the ISPS biannual audit which made the Authority to be removed in the international port advisory list. I have capacitated over 45 port security personnel, increased accesses control, and installed CCTV cameras all over the port.”
On the recent security and safety audit, Dr. Fofana said the port is optimistic of an excellence pass owing to its phenomenal reforms in the security sector.
ISPS or the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code is an essential maritime regulation for the safety and security of ships, ports, cargo and crew. The biggest challenge the world is facing today is fighting terrorism. There have been many events in the history lately involving terrorist attacks in different parts of the world in different forms. Sierra Leone is a signatory to the ISPS code which makes it mandatory for all ports to comply to International Safety and Security.
