Sierra Leone’s Parliament engaged in a fervent debate on aviation agreements, which highlighted the necessity of reviving the Mamamah Airport Airport Project.

Members of Parliament (MPs) reminisced about the Sierra National Airlines (SNA) and the benefits it brought during its operational years, expressing hopes that the Mamamah Airport Project would help resuscitate the airline and enhance the country’s aviation sector.

Chief Whip of the Opposition, Abdul Karim Kamara, stressed the high cost of airline tickets in Sierra Leone compared to other countries in the sub-region. He emphasized the importance of having affordable internal flights and cheaper international tickets. Kamara urged the Minister of Transport to engage with internal partners to ensure that Sierra Leone is no longer perceived as a threat zone, thus facilitating smoother travel for citizens who often resort to traveling through Guinea to reach international destinations.

Acting Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Koroma, passionately called on the government to reconsider the Mammah Airport Project, arguing that having multiple airports is beneficial for any nation. He pointed out that in other sub-regional countries, having three or four airports is not uncommon and supports economic growth. Koroma lamented the discontinuation of the Mammah project, stating that had it continued, it would have been completed during President Maada Bio’s first term, allowing the country to reap its benefits in his second term.

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Koroma highlighted that the country does not need direct cash to operate an airline but rather the political will and bilateral agreements. He underscored that the project would create employment opportunities and generate more revenue for the nation. He also recalled the internal aviation system with air taxis that used to transport passengers across different parts of the country, stressing the need to revive such services.

Chairman of the Committee on Transport, Maada Lebbie, added that the ratified agreements would boost international trade, tourism, and enhance cooperation between Sierra Leone and its partner countries. Acting Speaker of Parliament, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, echoed the need to reduce ticket prices to accommodate the growing number of Sierra Leoneans who are now traveling frequently. He noted that finding available flights is becoming increasingly difficult due to fully booked schedules.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bonapha, agreed with the need for negotiating with partners to establish a national airline. He revealed that the government is working towards this goal despite challenges such as encroached airfields, promising improvements in the sector.

The Parliament ratified three key agreements, including the bilateral air services agreement between Sierra Leone and the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, with hopes for significant developments in the aviation sector.