Almost 10 months since he was appointed as Executive Director at Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) Mr. Ken Philip Sondai has worked hard to turn things around at SLMA. With a more effective, productive and efficient work force, the Administration can now boast of a functioning Audit Department with a more accountable and transparent accounting system.

His exemplary leadership has been catalogued in the following bold steps taken at SLMA in the short time he has been there as Executive Director.
The Sondai led administration inherited over 16 Billion Leones in debt owed to NASSIT, NRA, vendors, newspapers, and international organisations.

The current leadership established a cordial payment plan that it had begun to honour.

International obligations also incurred over $500,000, of which the leadership has begun payments.

To avert a blacklisting of the Sierra Leone ports by the US government SLMA has satisfactorily caused the implementation of IMO security requirements - International Ships and Ports facility Security Code (ISPS).
Workforce enthusiasm has been enhanced with the payment of all backlog salaries to staff, including outstanding leave allowances.

The administration has mainstreamed its presence by decentralising operations to deepen outreach to communities where SLMA's services where badly needed.
As principal national authority executing Safety of Life at Sea, the Sondai led administration has supplied 150 safety life jackets to the Mabang community and 150 safety life jackets to the Mende Gorama chiefdom.

Consecutively, the Authority has increased revenue collection; and employed over 70 new staff to enhance efficiency.

In a bid to strengthen capacities, the SLMA recently signed an MOU with Njala University to help develop a curriculum that will enable maritime courses to be done here in SL.

The SLMA is a constituent state party to the IMO and other global partners. The agency recently led the commemoration of World Maritime Day- to raise awareness on the activities of SLMA and to push for the empowerment of women in the maritime community. It has also supported staff training at local and international levels.

SLMA is also looking to strengthen capabilities by purchasing Search and Rescue Boats to be used to conduct inspections and to swiftly respond to emergencies.

Meantime, the Administration is in the procurement process of Radio communications equipment.
SLMA contributes 20% of revenue generated to the consolidated fund to help fund the free quality education and other government priorities.

Leading the domestication of International Instruments which will boost revenue generation at the international level.
Moving forward, SLMA is looking to construct a state of the art Search and Rescue Centre in Bonthe which will enhance relations in the global maritime community.

SLMA carried out Safety sensitisation in form of jingles and TV to guide commuters in riverine areas which led to a drastic reduction in sea accidents.