The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has showered praises on the management of the Sierra Leone Ports and the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration following an impressive report from the United States Coast Guards on the security level at Queen Elizabeth II Quay.

The Sierra Leone Ports Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation would continue to be in compliance with all the international instruments on security and safety, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, SadiqSillah maintained.

Queen Elizabeth II was last audited in December 2016 on safety and security, and there was much improvement on the recommendations of the United Coast Guards in the area of the perimeter fencing, security screening and searching, personnel strength and a host of others, the United States Coast Guards team lead, Alex Karnath said. He urged the management of SLPA to maintain and improve on the security level at the port.

In an earlier engagement with the US Coast Guard, SLPA General Manager, Dr Abdulai Fofana said his management has put premium on safety and security to march up with international port securityand safety.

“We have beefed up our numerical security strength. Safety and security protocols at the port have been reviewed. The Freetown Port perimeter fence has been fixed with barbed wires installed in it. We are working to meet international safety and security benchmarks.”

SLPA Deputy General Manager, Yankuba Askia Bio, on his part, said the management has provided additional safety and security gadgets including CCTV cameras and the installation of a colour-coded card machine that restricts the movement of pedestrians within the port confinement.

The Sierra Leone Ports Authority has developed a Port Security and Safety Master plan, and it has been submitted to the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (ISPS Designated Authority) for consideration, the Port Facility Security Officer, Alpha Yaya Bangura intimated, adding that the port has extended its security and safety network across its neighborhood.