Finance Minister Fatamandi Bangura,this is a call for your intervention
Sierra Leone Government is being criticised for the reported delays at the airport on landing and departure due to cash payment of $25 airport security fee. This is evident from research and concerns raised by international travelers.
The payment of the $25 airport security fee many believed could better be included in the air ticket price so as to avoid extra burden on passengers who might have exhausted their finances before embarking on their journey .
Reports has also shown that the payment of the airport security fee can best be realised when it is included in the prices of ticket.
By so doing, government will no longer suffer criticism from passengers,who in turn will enjoy some relief . It will also minimize the illegal collection of fees and as well save passengers from undue embarrassment at the airport..
We must ensure that the system is in place to provide the much needed digital security to control international crime.
It is therefore important for government to fulfill its contractual obligation by speedily issuing directives to the SLCAA to include the said fees in the ticket price, an initiative that will help save government from unnecessary burden, complaints and grumbling.
In countries like Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, USA, UK, and greater Europe, the Securiport service fees are included in the ticket price, which is why passengers hardly feel the burden of making such payment.
The airport security fee is a standard and universal policy which allows authorities to utilise cutting-edge border control technology tools to ensure the safety of passenger, airports installations, and other airport related hardware and equipment.
Securiport serves as a credible and universal platform to ensure that the airport is safe and secured,providing cutting-edge border control technology tools to ensure the safety of passenger, airports installations and passengers.
The following groups are the only people who are exempted from paying the fee:
– Members of Government of Sierra Leone Presidential Delegation
– Members of Foreign Presidential Delegation
– Foreign Diplomats, in line with Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961
– Airline Crew on Duty
– Infants (children under 2 years)
– Transit/transfer passengers within 24h
– Passengers from involuntary rerouting, e.g. due to technical problem or weather condition
It will interest readers to know that the Sierra Leone Government has over the years been subsidising the payment of the Airport Security Fee of $ 40 for arriving and departing passengers.
The Airport Security Fee is a standard charge, which is prominent in other countries. It is part of a network system that will connect Sierra Leone with other countries when screening passengers. The system on its own will prevent the influx of terrorists and criminals, who have been bypassing airports and other border crossing points.
Additionally, for government to do background check on inbound and outbound passengers , the Securiport e-visa contract must be enforced because visitors applying for visas are electronically screened.
It is bizarre as to why a contract for visas is signed with a reputable company, but not honored by some departments of government.
It would also enhance transparency and accountability because the system can generate precise report on numbers and revenue generated for e-visas.
