Amongst the commitments of His Excellency the President (Rtd) Brigadier Julius Maada Bio to the people of Sierra Leone is to transform the transport sector so as to make it competitive, affordable and safe.

It is in this respect that the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration continues to work with His Excellency the President (Rtd) Brigadier Julius Maada Bio’s New Direction to save lives.

The yearly river upsurge in Sierra Leone has major impact on the riverine communities and threatens the lives of 200 to 300 commuters that cross various rivers in crude dugout canoes on a daily basis.

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has therefore rented and delivered three large fiber boats with outboard motors to the people of Palima, Diabele, Bundeyehun in the Gorama Mende Chiefdom in the Kenema District.

Palima, Diabele and Bundeyehun are the three major crossing points on the Sewa River and the dilapidated dugout canoes used by these communities can only be described as death traps and floating coffins.

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has earlier donated 150 life jackets to the three communities and they are currently building three large boats that will be powered by new 15 HP Yamaha outboard motors. These boats when completed in two weeks will be permanently owned by the communities following the withdrawal of the rental fiber boats.

The people of Palima, Bundeyehun and Diabele, expressed thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio for his New Direction to save their lives. They also thank His Excellency the President for the short-term intervention of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration to provide three fiber boats.