By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Sadiq Silla was in Parliament on the 16th December to present the Lungi Airport expansion and new terminal project that had been signed by the government of Sierra Leone and the Summa Group of Company. The Minister informed lawmakers that when this agreement is ratified over 2000 jobs will be created for the youths.
He said the airport will consist of a passenger terminal with a design capacity of three million passengers. He added that new search and rescue equipment’s will be installed and an airport firefighting building will be fully equipped.
“The project will further design new car park and good road system as well as landscaping, signage and traffic lights within the perimeters of the airport,” the transport Minister.
The Minister further highlighted benefits of the project to include enhanced airport service, improved aviation safety service, promotion of the aviation industry and “most importantly establishing Sierra Leone as a regional hub for both passengers and cargo traffic.”
He said the financial terms for this project are guided by the Ministry of Finance and in-line with the government financial management objectives.
In response to the project, Honorable Member of Parliament for constituency 048 Tonkolili District, Aaron Koroma stated that the project should have been laid before Parliament before the President appended his signature.
“The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has disrespected Parliament by not bringing the project for us to have ratify if it, but it was never done” he said.
The Honorable Member of Parliament drew the attention of the house that the agreement indicated that the Summa Group of Company will be paying zero taxes for 25years, and considered it as a bad deal.
On the contrary, the Member of Parliament for constituency 083 Bo district, Hon. Ambrews Maada Lebbie considered the agreement as a good one for the country.
He said “such project is transformative, strategic and not fashioned based on the usual traditional financing model. He cited the toll gate project that was not well thought out.
He referred to the revenue monitoring mechanism inherent in this project that falls under the purview of the government as something impressive to consider.
Hon Member of Parliament for constituency 064 Kerene district, Dr. Roland Foday Kargbo expressed concern about the 25 years lease to the construction group.
He cautioned that lessons must be drawn from the toll gate deal, which was criticized and must not be repeated. He stressed the point that human capital must be protected in such deals, among other things.
Many other Parliamentarians made contributions and at the end of the day, the agreement was passed for ratification.
It is interesting to note that this agreement is a public-private partnership project that will empower the Summa Group of Company the rights to be in charge of the Lungi International Airport for 25yrs.