By Emma Black
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh SLPHA team
In a bold and unscheduled move that drew attention to the central role of infrastructure in national development, chief minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh paid a surprise visit to the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) on Monday, his mission: to assess service delivery and institutional performance firsthand.
Describing the port as the gateway and lens into Sierra Leone’s transformation, Dr. Sengeh’s visit highlighted the government’s continued drive toward boosting economic growth, improving public sector efficiency, and delivering quality services three pillars of president Julius Maada Bio’s national agenda.
During a detailed briefing and walk-through of the port’s facilities, Dr. Sengeh commended the management for notable progress, including a remarkable 158% increase in container traffic and a 37% growth in exports, these improvements, he said; signal a robust uptick in international trade and the resilience of Sierra Leone’s economy in a competitive West African landscape.
Security was also a focus of the visit, the chief minister praised the port’s strict control systems, noting that out of 135,000 containers processed annually, and only a handful of contraband incidents had been recorded. This is evidence that accountability and vigilance are taking root in key state institutions, he remarked.
The SLPHA, according to Dr. Sengeh, is also leading by example in inclusivity and professionalism. With 36% of its management team comprising women, a dynamic, youthful leadership, and a fully certified workforce, the Authority reflects the government’s vision of a modern, responsive civil service.
In terms of financial contribution, the port has generated $11 million in concession fees over the past two years a testament to the success of public-private partnerships in revenue generation and service expansion,
despite challenges around demurrage delays and prolonged auction timelines, the port continues to stand tall among west Africa’s best-performing facilities, all eight berths were active during the chief minister’s visit, with the port operating at 60% berth occupancy, reflecting high demand and strong operational capacity.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sengeh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digitization and investment in the sector, a major highlight is the planned launch of a single window system a digital platform aimed at streamlining customs and port-related procedures to cut down clearance times and improve transparency.
This port is not just a transit point for goods it’s a barometer of national progress, Dr. Sengeh told staff and stakeholders, the numbers don’t lie. Sierra Leone is moving, and institutions like SLPHA are leading the charge.
The surprise visit was met with positive reception by SLPHA officials, who expressed pride in the recognition of their hard work and pledged continued commitment to innovation, accountability, and service excellence.
as the nation charts its course toward economic self-reliance and global competitiveness, the Sierra Leone ports and harbour authority is shaping up to be not just a gateway but a cornerstone of transformation.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 16TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
