Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, and Erdem Arikan, Regional Manager of Summa Construction on a conducted tour of the New Airport.
By Mohamed M. Sesay
On Tuesday the 15th of February 2023, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation headed by the Deputy Minister Rex Bhonapha, converged galaxy of journalists for a conducted media inspection at the New Direction’s Brand New Airport which is now 90% ready to be commissioned by President Bio on the 3rd of March 2023.
Addressing journalists at the New Airport, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Rex Bhonapha said due to the misleading argument floating on social media, caused the Ministry to take senior journalists for an inspection of the Brand New Freetown International Airport so that citizens would have a clear picture of the Brand New Airport Terminal. He added that the propelling factor for President Bio’s Government to construct a Brand New Airport in less than two and half years, was because the Old Airport actual serves as an infra dig to the country. He furthered that the old Airport was built by the British Loyal Air force in 1945 which they had wanted to use Sierra Leone as a military base in case the World War II would have escalated.
The Deputy Minister said the facility of the Old Airport was taken over just after independence. He added that it was the very first time the visionary President in the Person of President “Tok en Do Bio”, thought it fit to do something that would befit and restore the dignity of the country by reconstructing a brand new airport. He assured that the New Freetown International Airport would now accept more carriers, promote the expansion of the tourism sector and that passengers would have the required dignity and comfortability they deserved.
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation also intimated that consultation is at an advanced stage as to what to do with the Old Airport Facility. He suggested for the Old Airport Facility to be used to station the Sierra Leone Arm Forces Air Wing in order to secure the facility. He said another option is to also look for possible means of bringing investment at the old facility which would generate revenue for the state.
He disclosed that the content of the contract with Summa indicates that, the contractor (Summa) had to take over the Airport and to train workers of the Old Airport in terms of international best practices. He expressed optimism that the training is currently ongoing wherein; the staff at the Old Airport would have the required skills to handle the technical areas of the New Airport operation. He also disclosed that the New Airport has the capacity to host at least fifteen aircraft. He revealed that even the runway was measured by the biggest plan in the world which suggests that, any plan no matter the size, would be able to land at the New Freetown International Airport terminal.
“The training of local staff has commenced way back in October last year and we equally get transfer of skills. We will have at least one or two Sierra Leoneans to learn technical skills so that they will take over Summa at the end of the contract”, he said.
Rex Bonapha also assured that the New Airport Management would definitely employ employees of the Old Airport. He edified that workers of the Old Airport had negotiated for their terminal benefits for serving the Sierra Leone Airport Authority for over ten years. He added that government had agreed and provided them letter of termination of contract with the old airport in order to secure their terminal benefits. Upon termination of the old contract, he said government would also reengage their services once the New Airport commences full operation.
“So we never sacked anybody and all of the workers would be employed at the New Summa Airport. Not a single person would be left out. We continue to provide services such as the Air Navigation services which are statutory services and the Sierra Leone Airport Authority will be fully in charge to man that particular aspect.”, he assured.
The Deputy Minister concluded by categorically stating that he was very pleased and elated about the construction of the New Airport. He said even the materials used for the construction are up to international standards and best practices. He finally disclosed the glad tidings that the New Freetown International Airport would be commissioned by President Bio on the 3rdth of March 2023.