By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Intern)
The Sierra Leone Police in a press release dated 29th August 2023 condemned the illegal operation of boat and canoes owners across the country and have announced temporary ban on its operations starting 1st September.
To start, the Sierra Leone Police in its stead confirms they have received numerous complaints of boats operations especially at night and the threat these night operations poses to the environment and the society.
The Sierra Leone police reminded, that they totally acknowledge and complements the efforts of the fishing and transport sectors but maintains that leaving these operations of their activities especially at sea can cause a very huge implication to the security and sanity of the state.
“The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is concerned that locally made boats and canoes operate and berth at wharves across the country at night, in the guise of involving in either sea transportation or fishing activities. In as much as these activities are complementing the transport and fishing sectors, leaving these operations unchecked within wharves have far reaching security implications”, the release stated.
However, the Sierra Leone Police in upholding its integrity as being diplomatic and professional on the dispensation of their activities to the public, its citizens and all institutions in the state, has carry on to stage an engagement with all stakeholders in the Fishing industry.
According to the Sierra Leone Police, this meeting was to see how best they can liaise with stakeholders and examine the threats these fishing operations possesses to the public. The SLP further confirmed that they have received credible information that some people are behaving in an unethical and illegal way with the sole plan to use these operations in these wharves at night to carry on their clandestine and illegal activities.
In line with intelligence and the engagement with stakeholders of the fishing industry on their activities especially at night and the threats that they posed to the society. The Sierra Leone Police wishes to announce these measures taken up by them, which reads.
“Effective Friday 1st September 2023, all boats are banned from using, berthing or anchoring at any wharf across the country after 7pm and the Sierra Leone Police working with other ministries, departments and agencies, will intensify monitoring and security checks at all wharves across the country”.
They admonished all owners and subordinates to abide to the Law as defaulters will be made to face the full length of the law.