SIERRA LEONE'S TRANSPORT MINISTRY ENDS ITS ANNUAL TRANSPORT SECTOR RETREAT 2022

KENEMA CITY COUNCIL HALL, SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER, 2022.The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has ended its three-day Annual Transport Sector Retreat for Government Transport Agencies under its supervision on the theme “Building Effective Transportation Systems for Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth” at the Kenema City Council Hall, in Kenema.

The objective of the retreat seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport sector service delivery to the public as articulated in the Sector mandate, vision and mission statements.

In his welcome address, the Senior Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation Al-Hassan Kondeh emphasized the need to bringing all Government Transport Sector Agencies together, adding that the retreat provides a unique opportunity to transform the Country’s Transport and Aviation sector.

He explained that in strengthening state institutions particularly within the transport sector policy making and information flows is critical. He further emphasized on the need to keep in view the retreat objectives during deliberations and made a firm commitment that the Ministry will keep promoting its strategic and policy oversight responsibilities.

In his opening remarks, the chairman who doubles as the Deputy Minister, Rex Bhonapha noted that transport sector plays a central and pivotal role in driving the country’s economy. He further stated that through the division of labor and the production of value-added responsibilities can be fully ensured in all sectors of economic activities through the transport of goods and people.

“The retreat provides a platform for knowledge and experience sharing which has been aligned with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s vision in building effective transportation systems for sustainable socio-economic growth” Deputy Minister said.

The Residence Minister –East, Rt. Brig. Kess Boyah applauded the Minister and his team for bringing together various transport agencies for a strategic planning retreat. Minister Boyah emphasized that the Transport Ministry forms a critical role in the drive to achieve sustainable development.

The Minister noted that the sector contribute to the movement of people ,goods and services, the bus services to and from Freetown, and District Headquarters, the school Bus System for the Free Quality Education and multiplier effects of the Ministry’s service on the rest of the economy, especially Tourism, import/export and trade are immeasurable, adding further that the performance of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and all its various agencies is key to achieving President Bio’s vision for a vibrant and strong economy.

Delivering his keynote address, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Honorable Kabineh Kalloh thanked all stakeholders of different Ministries, Departments and Agencies present for honoring their invitation. He noted that the retreat is a platform to enhance the needed result to achieve effective transportation systems for sustainable socio-economic growth.

‘’ This is a retreat, similar to the one we had in 2020 but with a significant difference. This time around, we are here to map our path into the unknown, the future. This is because we did not have one at sector level. In fact, we did not have a National Policy. Now however, we do have a National Policy. We need to complete that with a National Strategic Plan. Therefore, we are here.” Minister maintained.

He admitted that as a Ministry they have done a lot over the past four years in the midst of some daunting challenges, and it is time for the country to know where they were four years ago, where they are now, and where they are heading, he added that it high time the transport sector starting to know how they get there as a sector and when they do get there.

He stressed that the Strategic Plan as a key outcome are amongst other things to be discussed over the next three days as a desirable achievement if they are to get a draft by Saturday.

‘’ First, I need not reemphasize the importance of a shared, inspiring vision in leading strategic change. A well-articulated a high-level vision that staff in the sector and other stakeholders genuinely share can bind all of us together with a shared purpose. This one reason I decided that we work on our strategic plan here with the involvement of the entire sector players. This is the where part of the strategy. However, the how and the when are equally important.’’ Minister said.

He further that the strategic plan would ensure that they are able to Track Progress Based on their Strategic Goals, noting that this would help to determine how far they come and how far they still must go as well as to determine if their activities remain aligned with their broad objectives or if any realignment is necessary.

In his statement the Director of Transport, Hindolo Shiaka outlined the overall objectives and expectations of the retreat amongst others such as to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their service delivery to the public as articulated in the mandate, vision and mission statements, noting that the objectives would reflect on their achievements to date, reflect on their service delivery to the public, lessons learnt from the 2022 retreat, assessing the performance of the Ministry and its agencies ,achievements, challenges and proffer recommendations  going forward and to encourage the power of Positive Thinking and Behavioral Change.

In his closing courties, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Honorable Kabineh Kallon thanked everyone that participated in the three-day Annual Transport Sector Retreat 2022, adding that the New National Transport Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2027 would enhance the needed results to achieve effective transportation systems for sustainable socio-economic growth.

Power Point Presentations were done by each Agencies under the Ministry’s Supervision on the development of the Transport Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2027