By Joseph Abass Sannoh (Senior Citizen)
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Port Harbours and Border Authority (SLPHBA), Mr. Yankuba Bio, has received widespread commendation for providing free and efficient water transportation during the historic 69th ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Summit hosted in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
As the Government of Sierra Leone and various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the summit, one of the major logistical concerns was the movement of people, vehicles and materials between Freetown and Lungi. Under the leadership of Mr. Yankuba Bio, SLPHBA responded by repairing, repainting and chartering a befitting ferry to provide safe, reliable and uninterrupted transportation throughout the summit.
For eight days, the ferry operated day and night, transporting passengers, vehicles, government officials, ministers, heads of MDAs, diplomats, international NGO personnel, summit logistics and members of the public between Freetown and Lungi. The service was provided completely free of charge, with no passenger or vehicle owner required to pay any fare.
The initiative was warmly welcomed by residents of Lungi and other beneficiaries.
Mr. Alimamy Sesay, a 61-year-old resident, described the free ferry service as unprecedented.
“In all my 61 years, I have never witnessed such a gesture from any government. This is a great service to the people of Sierra Leone,” he said.”
Mrs. Yamarie Bangura, a trader from Lungi, said the initiative greatly removed transportation costs for business owners moving goods between Lungi and Freetown.
“Only God can bless President Bio and the Director General for this wonderful initiative. It has helped traders and ordinary citizens alike,” she remarked.”
Mariatu Kargbo of Annie Walsh Memorial School expressed appreciation for the free transportation, noting that it eased the burden on students commuting between Lungi and Freetown during the school week.
David Cole, a youth leader in Lungi, praised President Julius Maada Bio for the construction of the new international conference centre, describing it as a transformational development for the community.
He further noted that despite hosting Sierra Leone’s international airport for many years, Lungi had not experienced comparable levels of infrastructure development under previous administrations. He further highlighted the planned four-star hotel and other ongoing projects as signs of a brighter economic future for the area.
Mr. Alusine Cole-Conteh also commended the leadership of SLPHBA for making history by providing free ferry transportation during the ECOWAS Summit, describing the initiative as a landmark achievement that benefited residents, visitors and delegates alike.
Several other residents and beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio and the Director General of SLPHBA, Mr. Yankuba Bio, for what they described as visionary leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of the people of Lungi.
The successful implementation of the free ferry service has been widely hailed as one of the notable logistical achievements that contributed to the smooth hosting of the 69th ECOWAS Summit, while demonstrating the government’s commitment to efficient public service delivery and national development.