The consistent support of the government and people of Japan to Sierra Leone has made its way into the Sierra Leonean aviation landscape through its embassy in Sierra Leone. An ambulance and consignment of medical equipment has been donated to the Freetown international Airport. The donation is from the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects GGHSP. The Airport as an international Point of Entry demonstrated and invested sound public health interventions during the COVID19 outbreak. The donation will further improve and strengthen its public health infrastructure.
The Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Mitory Naoki outlined Sierra Leone’s Government’s long-standing diplomatic relationship with the Japanese Government and assured of it diplomatic relationship with Sierra Leone will keep flourishing. He emphasized on making a difference particularly at Points of Entry which can ultimately provide early warning signals and guide response to outbreaks. The donation he concludes will support the airport’s mechanisms and action plans in strengthening border coordination of activities and interventions aimed at curbing further spread of diseases.
Speaking on behalf of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority, the Deputy General Manager, Mr Bobson Kargbo expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for the goodwill gesture and stated that the ambulance and the medical equipment will be utilized alongside the actors at the Airports PoEs “our passengers will feel safe and confident with this addition in our established medical protocols”.
Mr. Sulay-Manah Jobo Kpukumu, Deputy Director-General of Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone thanked the Government of Japan for the donation. He emphasized Sierra Leone’s desire to strengthen its already friendly diplomatic relationship with the Republic of Japan. He went on to highlight major areas of focus and assistance provided by the Japanese Government over the years.
Dr. Adams Steven, Transport advisor in the ministry of Transport and Aviation represented the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon Kabineh Kallon. In his statement, he thanked the Japanese Government for their generous contributions. As Disease outbreak affect global mobility in the form of various travel disruptions and restrictions, providing multiple public health measures at PoEs will increase monitoring and tracking
Sierra Leone has enjoyed excellent relationship with Japan since independence; Japan has contributed immensely to the socio economic infrastructure of Sierra Leone. Through institutions like JICA and International Conference on African development the government of Japan has supported diverse facets of the Sierra Leonean development aspirations. Witnessing today another humanitarian gesture in our key entry point, illustrates Japans contributions to Air Transport safety.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer – Public Health, Dr. Alie Wurrie in his submission also thanked the Japanese Government and the Government of Sierra Leone on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. He maintained that the donation is a boost to the health and safety of the Airport and its traveling public.
“It will improve the preparedness level for any health emergency at the Freetown International Airport and we will deploy these resources for its intended use, so as to benefit the travelling public and realizing the dreams of our Japanese donors”
The commissioning climaxed with an official handing over of the Ambulance and medical equipment to the Authorities at the Freetown International Airport. SLAA Board Chairman Edward Williams and Board Director Mr. Mohamed Savo Kamara also present at the commissioning.
