Freetown, 9 May 2025 — Senior officials from the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) conducted a joint on-the-spot inspection at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay on Thursday, in a coordinated effort to streamline customs and forwarding operations at the country’s main port.
The high-level delegation included Yankuba Askia Bio, Director General of SLPHA, Leonard Tucker, Assistant Commissioner of Operations, Felix Jusu, Assistant Commissioner of Anti-Smuggling, John B. Amara, Assistant Commissioner for Border Control and Management, and Tennyson Bio, Commissioner of the NRA’s Customs Service Department.
The inspection tour covered key operational areas including the main cargo terminal, export zone, scanning section, and physical examination area. Officials aimed to identify systemic inefficiencies and procedural bottlenecks that have been slowing cargo clearance and delaying trade.
During the visit, the team engaged directly with customs officers, brokers, truck drivers, and security personnel to gain practical insights and assess operational challenges. Preliminary findings already point to several avoidable delays, prompting immediate discussions on reform strategies and improved coordination among port stakeholders.
“This initiative not only helps us pinpoint areas needing reform but also fosters collaboration between customs and trade stakeholders,” said Commissioner Tennyson Bio, emphasizing the importance of transparency and routine evaluations.
Officials expressed optimism that the insights gathered will lead to swift and lasting improvements in port operations, enhancing Sierra Leone’s trade competitiveness and ease of doing business.
