A team from the management of Air Cote d’Voire, led by the Deputy Ministers of Finance and Transport and Aviation and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Transport, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Minister in his office at State House past Friday.
Introducing the team, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Sadiq Silla, informed the Chief Minister that the team arrived the previous day to work with the Ministry in order to resume air transportation in Sierra Leone. According to him, and all the meetings held were very fruitful.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Patricia Nyanga Laverley, gave the background of the whole process when President Julius Maada Bio met with the Ivorian President, Alhassan Ouattara, where he appealed to him for support in that direction.
“This is why the team is in Sierra Leone,” he said.
Introducing members of his team, the Head of the delegation, Mr D’ecurers Rene, expressed his gratitude to the Government for the warm welcome and fruitful meetings held with members of staff of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
Underscoring the importance of air transportation and its contribution to national economy, Mr. Rene also expressed concern for an enabling environment for their operations and the assurance of Government to support them in their endeavour. He registered their commitment in improving air transportation systems in the country considering the role the sector plays in national development.
In concluding his statement, he informed the Chief Minister that the flight services shall be from Ivory Coast to Sierra Leone via Conakry.
Welcoming the team, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude and underscored the importance of air transportation in revamping the economy of the country. He also adds that air transportation can add job creation for the people of Sierra Leone. He re-echoed His Excellency’s commitment to the people of Sierra Leone to deliver on their mandate in a very efficient and professional manner with the development of human capital as a major focus. He recapped the President’s effort in rebranding the nation around the globe as a manifestation in this regard.
The Chief Minister informed the team that H.E. the President was very passionate about private sector investment and collaboration. He added that during the Ebola scourge, the Pan African flights were the last to cease operations to Sierra Leone and therefore desired for long term credible partners in our development strive.
Professor Francis also informed the team about Government’s effort in transforming the tourism sector in Sierra Leone, which will in turn boost air transportation.
The Chief Minister pledged, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sierra Leone, commitment and confidence to all investors to create the enabling environment to execute their functions well. He appealed to the team for the protection of workers and mutual accountability.
Professor Ffrancis concluded by conveying his gratitude to His Excellency the President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara for his support and the confidence manifested in their new Government to resume flights in Sierra Leone. He appealed to the team to inform them a week prior to their maiden flight to get themselves to put all structures in place to make it a success.