BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
Honorable members of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone have on Tuesday the 22nd February, 2022 uncontroversial ratified four Air Transport Agreements.
These agreements are the Air Service Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the State of Kuwait; Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; Agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone for Air Services;’ and Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the State of Qatar relating to the operations of Air Transportation.
Moving the motion for ratification of the agreement, the Deputy Minister of Transport and aviation Rex Bhonapha assured that the agreements are at no financial cost to government and the people of Sierra Leone.
He added that the agreements are meant to facilitate air transports and its intended economic benefit coupled with boosting productivities, facilitate world trade, promote tourism, improve the efficiency of supply chains, and enable investment and Labour supply in and out of Sierra Leone which is dubbed as the speed over effect.
He reassured Members of Parliament that government will continue to negotiate new treaties in order to allow International Aviation to grow. He said the bilateral system has allowed International Aviation to grow in to a vibrant industry it is today.
He noted that it is a short task in liberalizing the air transport.
Rex Bhonapha also intimated that the bilateral air service agreements contain provisions for traffic rights which mean the lines which planes can fly.
He added that capacity is also part of the provisions in the agreement which will aid flight to carry passengers through bilateral partnership; and designation and ownership is also embedded in the agreement which will provide for the number of airlines which the bilateral partners can nominate in order to operate services and the ownership criteria of airlines.
In terms of operational flexibility, the Deputy Minister continued that each flight designated airline will operate in either or both directions.
He also revealed that corporative arrangement is also catered for in the agreements which will authorize a designated airline of one state party to enter into corporative arrangement marketing arrangement with others such as space and co-chairing.
He furthered that the agreements guarantee that state parties shall ensure fair opportunities on nondiscrimination.
He reminded that over the years, Sierra Leone has initiated the following bilateral agreements which have been submitted for due consideration and ratification.
“Mr. Speaker Honorable Members, Be it resolved that this Honorable House hereby ratify the following agreements which were laid on the table of the House on Tuesday the 15th February 2022”, he moved.