The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday 19 April 2023, debated and ratified an air service agreement for the development of the aviation industry.

The following agreement was ratified by Parliament:

1. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Republic of Mali for Air service between and beyond their respective territories.

Presenting the agreement prior to ratification, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bonapha said the agreement would help to expand the Sierra Leone air transport industry with other airport-related benefits for both countries. He spoke on the economic benefit of the agreement and went on to highlight the cultural and touristic nature attached to the agreement.

In his submission to the debate, the Parliamentary Chairperson of the Transport and Aviation Committee, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby said the agreement is non-controversial and went on to highlight its importance.

Hon Emilia Lolo Tongi, an Independent MP from Kailahun District said the ratification of this agreement would reduce air tariff tickets for passengers and went on to underscore its impotence.

In rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo advised the House to scrutinize the agreement properly and went on to touch on matters of ECOWAS protocol relative to the document.

“We support the agreement as long as it does not affect ECOWAS Agreement,” he concluded.

In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie said ratifying the agreement bears no effect on ECOWAS protocols regarding Mali’s suspension in the region. He said the agreement is good for the development of the aviation industry.

In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday 19/04/2023 debated and passed into law with some amendments the Bill entitled: “The Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority Act, 2023”, that gears towards the development of the transport industry.

The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority as a regulatory body for public transportation services and to provide for other related matters. The Bill was piloted by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation.

Also, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Wednesday 19 April 2023 at around 7: 00 PM debated and passed into law with some amendments the Bill entitled: “The Audit Service ( Amendment) Act, 2023″

The Bill seeks to amend the Audit Service Act, 2014 to provide for eligibility criteria for the appointment of the Auditor General, the financial independence and budget autonomy of the Audit Service and to provide for other related matters. The Bill was piloted by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawallie.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Emily Gogra on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 at around 8:00 PM introduced and read the Bill entitled “The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, 2023” for the development of the education sector. The Bill was read for the second time.

The Bill seeks to restructure and reform the Basic and Senior Secondary Education system to make it free, accessible, compulsory, relevant, all-inclusive, and rights-based, to improve the governance structure of the school system, and to provide for other related matters.