Transport Minister and Ports Management Inspect Two New Ferries
Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Queen Elizabeth II Water Quay,17th July, 2022.The Minister of Transport and Aviation and the Sierra Leone Ports Authority Management have today Sunday 17th July,2022 Inspected two New Ferries from Norway at the Queen Elizabeth II Water Quay.
Welcoming the crews on the shores of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Transport and Aviation Kabineh Kalloh expressed his appreciation for their relentless efforts in ensuring that the two were ferried safely to the shores of Sierra Leone Sea ports.
He maintained that the arrival of these two ferries to the Sierra Leone waterways is to promote regional connectivity by improving transportation across the Sierra Leone River via the Freetown-Lungi route, adding that, it is in line with the Government of Sierra Leone Medium Term National Development Plan and the Manifesto promise of His Excellency the President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio.
He said that his Ministry is committed in ensuring that they provide a safe, accessible and affordable sea transportation in the country.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in partnership with Negmar, a Turkish company have provided these two new ferries with the capacity of 90 vehicles and 260 seats for passengers each on a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) model, noting that the ferries would be operating from Government Wharf to Lungi Targrin based on regular, time-bound and fixed schedules.
He said that, this would be an opportunity to greatly improve transportation across the Sierra Leone River via the Freetown-Lungi route to unlock economic activities between the Western area and the Northwest region of the country and help create more jobs for youths.
Among others the delegation present were the Deputy Minister for Transport and Aviation, Transport Advisor, Transport Director, the General Manager of Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Ports Harbor Master, and Ports Security Manager.