The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has pledged to support the government's development priorities, including job creation, food security, women's empowerment, and trade. The authority made this commitment while presenting its 2027 budget priorities at a public budget discussion in Freetown. The SLPHA's Director of Finance, Andrew Tamba Kpulun, stated that the authority's five-year strategic plan aligns with Pillar Three of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation's strategic plan, as well as the government's National Development Plan and President Julius Maada Bio's "Big Five Game Changers" agenda.
The SLPHA's strategic plan focuses on improving port infrastructure and strengthening the skills of its workforce. The authority is also prioritizing youth employment, women's participation in the maritime sector, and improving trade facilitation to support agriculture and the government's "Feed Salone" initiative. According to Mr. Kpulun, the Port of Freetown plays a central role in the movement of agricultural inputs and food commodities, making it crucial for strengthening agricultural value chains and improving food security.
The SLPHA has already made significant strides in job creation, recruiting over 300 young people into permanent employment. The authority intends to increase this number in the next financial year. Employment opportunities are also being created through port operations, logistics, public-private partnerships, and other maritime-related industries. This move is expected to contribute to the government's job creation agenda and support economic growth.
Women's participation in the maritime sector is another area of focus for the SLPHA. The authority has achieved the government's 30% quota for women's employment and empowerment. However, participants at the budget presentation called for further opportunities for women in the traditionally male-dominated maritime sector. The SLPHA's commitment to increasing women's participation is seen as a step towards promoting gender equality and empowering women in the sector.
The public budget discussion, held at the Miatta Conference Hall, was part of the government's broader process of reviewing the priorities and spending plans of public institutions ahead of the 2027 financial year. Civil society representatives, non-state actors, and journalists attending the discussion urged the authority to maintain efforts to prevent congestion at the Port of Freetown. Port congestion can disrupt the movement of goods, increase costs for businesses, and affect the wider supply chain.
The Ministry of Finance's technical team described the SLPHA's budget presentation as "detailed and comprehensive". The authority's strategic investments and operational plans are intended to ensure that the country's main port continues to support economic activity while contributing to the government's wider development programme. The SLPHA's commitment to supporting the government's development priorities is seen as a positive step towards achieving the country's economic goals.
The SLPHA's budget presentation is part of a broader effort to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public institutions. The authority's willingness to engage with stakeholders and provide detailed information about its budget priorities is seen as a positive step towards promoting good governance. The government's "Big Five Game Changers" agenda is a comprehensive development programme aimed at transforming the country's economy and improving the lives of its citizens.
Key points
- The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority has pledged to support the government's development priorities, including job creation, food security, women's empowerment, and trade.
- The authority has recruited over 300 young people into permanent employment and intends to increase this number in the next financial year.
- The SLPHA has achieved the government's 30% quota for women's employment and empowerment in the maritime sector.
