Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Board Directors Conduct First Oversight Visit to Southern Operational Sites

The newly constituted Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) recently conducted its first oversight visit to the institution’s operational sites in the southern region, including Mattru Jong, Yagoi, Gbangbantoke, and Gbondapi. The visit was accompanied by key SLMA staff members, including the Directors of Human Resources, Procurement, the Administrative Officer to the Board, and the Public Relations Officer from the Administrative Department.

The board was represented by the following members Hon. Bintu Myers, Chairman of the Board, Director Kebbie from Fisheries and Marine Resources, Director Eugene A. Cole, Director Ibrahim Njai Amara and Director Haja Aminata Dabo.

Overall, the trip was both exhausting and exciting, bringing the Board Directors into close contact with the management staff present during the visit. The oversight visits to the institution’s operational sites are not only statutory activities but are also mandated by the act that established SLMA, highlighting their importance.

Given the significance of the oversight visit, it must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. Board members should remain committed and available for such visits at all times. The primary objectives of these visits include:

The visits take the board beyond the traditional corporate headquarters conference room, offering a more hands-on experience in the field. Also, the visits provide first-hand insight into how the policies and strategies discussed at the headquarters are being implemented on the ground.

These visits help identify potential threats, competitors, and emerging trends within the company’s ever-changing operating environment. The board also gains valuable insights into globalization, regulations, emerging technologies, and the economic and political landscape.

The visit provides an opportunity to assess the SLMA staff’s relationships with the communities, boat owners, and passengers, and to evaluate compliance with sea safety measures.

The emergence of this new level of board engagement is crucial for enhancing the board’s role beyond its traditional ratification responsibilities. Familiarizing the board with the institution’s operations on-site will provide additional context for long-term strategic planning. Holding occasional board meetings during oversight visits offers directors a more comprehensive understanding of the organization’s culture and infrastructure.

Gbangbantoke is one of the busy terminals visited by the board. It serves as a hub for traders from Bonthe Island and surrounding fishing settlements. Traders converge at this terminal to engage in business activities, making it a critical site for SLMA’s operations in the region.