“$40 Airway Travel Increment Is No Tax” Director General Says

The Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Bakarr Kamara, in an exclusive interview told this medium that the $40 that the Government of Sierra Leone is announcing to be added to airway travel expenses is not a tax, but described it as an aviation fee which, he said, is a contract between the government and a travelling agency known as Security Port.

The contract, he said, was signed by the former Minister of Internal Affairs but will be implemented by the Minister of Transport and Aviation as it falls under his purview.

He furthered that government is doing its best to implement it, but is also taking into consideration the impact on the population and the country’s economy. He noted that negotiations are, therefore, still going on to consider how this money will be reduced to an affordable amount.

The Director General added that the plan of purpose for the money is for national security control, to monitor terrorists who may want to invade the country and to put other security measures in place for national safety.

He furthered that the initial agreement was that the passengers will pay the said amount to and fro, which he described as round trip, but yet negotiation is underway for the increment to be paid by only departing passengers.

He finally stated that, the travelling populace should be patient and look forward to successful negotiation result, hoping that the outcome will be an acceptable amount to the company, the government and the general travelling populace.

By Mariama Kanneh

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