By Musa Paul Feika
Mohamed A. Salia, President of the Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agencies Sierra Leone Limited (ACFA-SL), has appealed to the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Aviation, chaired by Ambrose Maada Lebbie, to urge five key shipping companies including M.S.C. Mediterranean Sea Shipping, WACA Sierra Leone Limited, Marsk Line and two other companies to refund billions of Leones they have been robbing off Sierra Leoneans since 1st January to 31st July 2024.
Mr. Salia made the appeal on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024, at Committee Room No. 1 in the House of Parliament while the said Committee was probing into the activities and finances of shipping companies operating in Sierra Leone.
Some of the roles of ACFA-SL includes to provide assistance Importers to get goods cleared through customs formalities; coordinate with carriers and handling shipping and delivery. It also advocates for fair trade policy and paid custom duties for importers.
As an association, Mr. Salia said, they are not comfortable with the prices or charges levied by shipping companies. He said even though they have engaged them regarding the charges per container, but they have not been receptive, disclosing that it is more the reason why they have escalated the matter to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, but since then they have not had any headway.
“This is also why we have further escalated to the knowledge of Parliament,” Mr. Salia stated.
According to him, World Bank indication has shown that Sierra Leone is one of the countries that are extremely difficult and expensive to clear a- twenty feet container at the Quay.
He accused the shipping lines of delaying to submit their manifests into ASYCODA World and delay in the issuance of delivery orders, which have been causing unnecessary delays in the clearing process.
He further disclosed that since 1st January 2024 to present, each of the five shipping companies have clandestinely extorted billions of Leones from Sierra Leoneans.
He however applauded the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebbie and the Deputy Leader of Government Business for their good sense of judgment, noting that their manifested concern and interest in the issues highlighted is a victory for the people of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Salia recalled that five years back, they were in the House of Parliament for similar issues, but maintained that the passion and commitment exhibited by the current Chairman and the Deputy Leader of Government Business is a clear indication that they are doing their job for the interest of Sierra Leoneans.
“We want justice for the people of Sierra Leone by making sure that all unlawful monies they have collected are being refunded to the people of Sierra Leone,” he pleaded, adding that by doing so, Parliament will be helping the Ministry of Trade and Industry to stabilize prices in Sierra Leone.