New SLMA Boss Engages Administrators

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The newly appointed Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Mr. Paul Sobba Massaquoi has engaged Maritime stakeholders including members of Parliament, Ministry of Transport and Aviation and members of the Board of Directors of SLMA, on Tuesday, 7th July 2020 in order to discuss and to chat the way forward for a new SLMA. Also present, were representatives from ACC, National Insurance Company, a Legal Firm, an HR Recruitment Firm, and senior management staff of the SLMA. 

In a bid to earn confidence and support, the Executive Director assured stakeholders of his readiness to restructure, rebrand, and to restore sanity to the Administration, thus enhancing efficiency and productivity. While he did not shy away from citing the numerous challenges faced by the administration, Mr. Massaquoi called on all stakeholders to give their fullest support to help him succeed; “if I succeed, SLMA succeeds, we would be proud to have been part of the TEAM that made the difference.” 

In his PowerPoint presentation, the New SLMA Boss highlighted in detail his plans for a NEW SLMA that will attract direct investment and boost revenue mobilization. Below are a list of his short term plans:

1. Overhaul the IT department and deploy the 21st century IT system that competes with international standards.

2. Engage with the HR department through an independent HR Firm to put processes and procedures in place that ensure staff is hired based on qualification and experience.

3. Undertake internal facelift of the administration.

4. Hire the services of a Legal Firm that will help go after debtors to boost revenue generation.

5. Insure the SLMA building 

After his presentation, Mr. Sadiq Sillah, 

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to the SLMA and pledged their unflinching support to the New SLMA Boss. Out of the seven institutions being supervised by the ministry, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration is one of the institutions that have a broad mandate; he said. Minister Sillah called on Mr. Massaquoi, to be firm and steadfast in his effort to bring back SLMA’s lost glory. 

Honorable Mathew Nyuma, Leader of Government Business in the Well of Parliament, encouraged Mr. Massaquoi to look at the Sierra Leone Maritime Acts of 2000 and see if there’s a need to amend certain sections of the Act. He also encouraged Mr. Massaquoi to work harder in order to deliver on his plans, reminding him that the president reserves the right to fire him if he fails to do well in his job. 

In his short and precise statement, the Chairman Board of Directors of SLMA, Mr. Umaru B. Dumbuya said that the institution has had three Executive Directors in just 2 years. He talked about the huge debts they had inherited, owed to the media, NASSIT, NRA, and other international obligations (a payment plan was put in place and payment is underway) amounting to billions of Leones. He welcomed the plans presented by the Executive Director and assured all of the Board’s commitment to ensuring that the New SLMA Boss succeeds. 

Representatives from the ACC, National Insurance Company, the Legal Firm, the HR Recruitment Firm all pledged their support to the new Executive Director.

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