By Ragan M. Conteh
The Managing Director, Sierra Leone National Shipping Company, Ahmed Saybom Kanu, has disclosed to journalists in Freetown that his institution is set to generate revenue for the New Direction government by 2020.
The MD indicated that he inherited a shattered institution that was almost at a brink of collapse, adding that because of his pro-activeness and resilience, he was able to restore and fixe the institution within a year with sustainable structures that can stand the test of time.
Mr. Kanu pointed out that the institution is now offering clearing and forwarding, warehousing, haulage, packing and crafting, ships’ agency, insurance and indemnity representation and bunker facilities, among others.
The MD also emphasized that he has been able to give a facelift to the agency that was almost at a brink of collapse through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Bollore Transport and Logistics Limited.
SLNSC, according to him, is charged with the responsibility of providing efficient, reliable and affordable shipping services in and out of Sierra Leone together with allied services of cargo clearing and forwarding, haulage and packing.
He also disclosed that they are also maintaining a high level of Maritime Transport Services required of dependable shipping.
Their main focus, he stated, is to provide standard Ships Agency Services first-of-its-kind, adding that the Finance Act 2019 of Sierra Leone has given the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company a facelift.
He also informed the media that he inherited huge external debts in the company but due to their innovative and focus mindedness, the institution has reduced its debt burden.
He revealed that by 2020 the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company will be paying more dividends to government in a bid to support revenue generation.
Speaking on the issues between Bollore and SALWACO, he said he has been one of the mediators as a clearing agency to ensure that the containers belonging to SALWACO are removed.