There has been speculation that unaccounted revenue generated from the e-visa system is owed to the government of Sierra Leone, and that a reputable company, Securiport, has been falsely targeted. Since 2020, Securiport has been operating lawfully and transparently to ensure government oversight and accountability over the e-visa system, which issues and manages any number of visa types in accordance with government requirements. It is the government’s responsibility to enforce the e-visa contract by directing all visa applicants to utilize the e-visa platform that provides a centralized system for greater transparency, financial and e-visa issuance accurate reporting, and real time background checking for security purposes.
It has been a challenge for the government to uphold the contract, while the immigration, NRA officers and Embassies are still issuing and collecting fees for e-visa, and evidently, Securiport cannot be responsible for any revenue collected by the different visa issuing government institutions. Securiport can only account for the 20% of e-Visa which goes through the Securiport platform, which directs all payments into an escrow account jointly managed with the Government of Sierra Leone, as stated in the contract. The rest of the estimated 80% of e-Visa fees are collected by immigration, NRA and Embassies. Securiport cannot take responsibility for or be targeted for fees collected by the immigration offices, Embassies or any other designated Government office.
Securiport has engaged with the Government of Sierra Leone by offering its civil aviation security and border control solutions, and has maintained its open books policy. As a premier service provider and to make the traveler experience seamless, Securiport has accepted the fees decrease from $40 to $25, after the government guaranteed to have the Sierra Leone Airport Security fees be included in the ticket price.
Instead of targeting a reputable company’s operations, it would be timely to acknowledge the steps taken by Securiport, along with the government to upgrade the airport, to provide digital solutions for travelers, and the efforts being made to improve airport security and travel experience.
The assertions about Securiport are erroneous and false. With increased transparency, better communication, and ongoing commitment, the government can continue to improve government services and systems that support its citizens and resolve traveler-related impediments.