Sierra Leone Police to Enforce Stringent Regulations for Users of Wharf Boats and Canoes

The Sierra Leone Police are poised to implement stringent measures on boats and canoes that operate and berth at wharves across the country at night.

The police have observed that allowing the activities of these individuals to go unchecked could lead to significant security implications. As a result, starting from September 1st, there will be a continuous operational oversight of their activities.

The release reads; Police Headquarters, George Street, Freetown – 29th August, 2023. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is concerned that locally made boats and canoes operate and berth at wharves across the country at night, in the guise of involving in either sea transportation or fishing activities. In as much as these activities are complementing the transport and fishing sectors, leaving these operations unchecked within wharves have far reaching security implications.

It is against this backdrop that the SLP on Tuesday 29th August, 2023, engaged all stakeholders with the view to examine the threats posed by these night operations in wharves across the country.

The meeting however concludes that credible intelligence so far received points to the fact that unscrupulous people have plans to exploit the current situation to their advantage by using these wharves at night to carry out clandestine activities.

Cognizant to the security threats posed, the SLP wishes to announce the following measures:

 Effective Friday 1st September, 2023, all boats are banned from using, berthing or anchoring at any wharf across the country after 7pm.

 That the SLP, working with other ministries, departments and agencies, will intensify monitoring and security checks at all wharves across the country.

The SLP is therefore urging strict compliance as defaulters will be made to face the full force of the law.