The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has assured the public that they are doing everything humanly possible to carry out their mandate as a statutory body.
According to DG Yankuba A. Bio, under his leadership, the Authority is always security vigilant in providing a secure operational environment and managing the maritime and port affairs, noting that they also provide physical security at the ports and collaborate with security agencies.
In putting the record straight, Mr. Bio emphasised that it is not their mandate to execute customs inspections or determine the legality of cargo, noting that it is overseen by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs and Excise Department.
He informed that under the Customs Act 2011, the NRA Customs and Excise Department is the statutory body empowered to enforce customs laws, collects duties, authorise the release of cargo, and officially seize smuggled or prohibited items.
Regarding the specific responsibility of the Integrated Trade Services (SL) Limited (ITS), The Satellite gathered from very reliable official sources that ITS is contracted by the government as the sole provider of destination inspection and export/import verification. Their primary responsibility is to scan cargo, verify declarations, and ensure that what is documented marches the physical cargo being exported or imported. If contraband sips through, it is often a failure of the scanning verification.
The Satellite also reliably learnt that in the event of illegal exhortation or smuggling, the NRA, in collaboration with the law enforcement – like the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) or Navy, leads investigations into breaches of prohibited export laws. The ITS may face scrutiny or penalties, while the SLPHA is responsible for ensuring internal port control.
The Integrated Trade Services (SL) Limited (ITS) is a Sierra Leonean owned and managed business engaged in various trade services and solutions for cross-border trade.
ITS is at present the sole provider of destination inspection and export verification in Sierra Leone and its services ensure the government realises the required revenues from duties and taxes for all goods imported to and exported from the country.
The destination inspection scheme involves the examination of goods and processing of declaration points, whether by sea, land, or air. ITS in the provision of these services helps to ensure legitimate trade is facilitated through compliance in the presentation of correct declarations and the resultant speedy clearance of goods to help the government realise the necessary revenues.
The primary heads of operations and administration include: Mr. Albert Gulama – Executive Leadership and Strategic Management; Mr. Martin Komba – General Manager of Operations; Mr. Mathew Kambay – Head of Finance and Administration; and Mr. John Boima – Head of Scanning Operations. He is charged with the responsibility of checking and scanning all incoming containers and goods at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
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