Another International Litigation Awaits Bio’s Gov’t
By Lamin Bangura
Securiport (SL) Limited has responded to a directive from the Ministry of Internal Affairs ordering the temporary suspension of the USD 25 Airport Security Fee at the Freetown International Airport, warning that the move may have financial and contractual implications for the Government of Sierra Leone.
In a leaked correspondent shown to this medium, the company confirmed receipt of the Government’s instruction issued on 1st July 2026, which directs the suspension of the fee collection from 6th July 2026 to December 2026 while maintaining full technological operations and passenger data systems.
It is understood that Securiport, which has partnered with the Government of Sierra Leone since 2012, is willing to comply with the directive under protest and without prejudice, while reserving all contractual rights. The company emphasized that the current manual collection system at the airport was never intended as the primary mechanism under its original agreement with the Government.
According to the leaked document, the 2012 agreement required the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement an airline-based collection system through the International Air Transport Association (IATA), whereby the security fee would be embedded in airline ticket prices and automatically collected. The company argued that this mechanism was designed to eliminate cash handling at the airport and reduce passenger inconvenience, but has not been implemented despite repeated engagements over the years.
The company further referenced a 2016 amendment to the agreement, which granted a temporary moratorium to allow the Government to transition to the ticket-based system, stating that the shift was never completed and that manual collection has continued since then.
Securiport also warned that suspending the fee while continuing full system operations constitutes a breach of the revenue framework outlined in the agreement. It maintained that the security fee represents its sole source of compensation under the contract and that any interruption in collection would require financial compensation from the Government.
The company referenced previous disputes between the parties, including a reported settlement related to unpaid revenues, and cautioned against the accumulation of further liabilities. It stated that it will log passenger volumes and estimated revenue during the suspension period as required by the Ministry’s directive, but considers these amounts to remain due under the agreement.
In its response, Securiport requested formal confirmation from the Government that it will compensate the company for revenue lost during the suspension period, including timely monthly payments following invoicing, as well as immediate settlement of outstanding claims it says are already owed under previous contractual arrangements.
The company also urged the Government to proceed with implementing the long-delayed IATA fee code system during the suspension period, so that the security fee can be integrated into airline tickets and collection resumed in a seamless manner by January 2027.
In conclusion, it was stated that the company remains open to dialogue and has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs before the suspension takes effect, while maintaining that all rights and remedies under the agreement remain fully reserved.
The development adds a new layer of complexity to the long-standing partnership between Securiport and the Government of Sierra Leone over airport security infrastructure and revenue collection at Freetown International Airport.