The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has launched a comprehensive monitoring exercise aimed at ensuring the swift movement of containers and other valuable cargo from the Queen Elizabeth II Quay to their final destinations.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to decongest the country’s main seaport and improve operational efficiency. According to the SLPHA, the introduction of improved container-handling procedures, streamlined stacking systems, and stronger coordination among terminal operators has already begun to reduce congestion and turnaround time at the port. These measures are designed to facilitate faster cargo movement from ships to shore and onward to importers and businesses.
Speaking to the press, Bio emphasized the importance of strengthening port security protocols and ensuring strict compliance with international maritime safety standards. He noted that these improvements are crucial for boosting confidence among shipping lines and international partners operating in Sierra Leonean waters.
Under his reform agenda, the Director General said the Authority is working to transform the nation’s ports into efficient, transparent, and investor-friendly gateways for trade. The reforms are also aimed at aligning the operations of the SLPHA with international maritime standards while enhancing Sierra Leone’s competitiveness within the sub-region.
Bio added that the ongoing modernization drive includes removing operational bottlenecks, updating policies, and strengthening institutional governance to support national economic growth. With clearer policies and improved efficiency, Sierra Leone’s ports are increasingly being viewed as viable hubs for regional trade, particularly under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He further noted that the reforms have attracted attention and admiration from several industrialized nations, including the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among others.
Bio reaffirmed his commitment to improving discipline and professionalism within the Authority, stating that the ultimate goal is to reposition the SLPHA as a reliable and competitive maritime gateway for both regional and international trade.
He also recalled that shortly after his appointment by President Julius Maada Bio as Director General of the SLPHA, one of his first interventions was to ease container operations at the port as part of efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery
