Sierra Leone's Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced the temporary suspension of the $25 Airport Security Fee at Freetown International Airport, effective Monday, July 6. The ministry stated the suspension is "until further notice" and will allow for a full review of the existing contract framework. An independent special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) is also underway. The government is using this period to evaluate "a more smooth, integrated collection system that eliminates public inconvenience for traveling passengers," according to the ministry. This announcement is part of broader government reviews of public contracts and fees, with the ministry calling for "full compliance from all airport authorities to ensure a smooth transition." The temporary suspension of the $25 Airport Security Fee at the Freetown International Airport was officially announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, signaling a significant shift in the collection of aviation-related charges.
Fee Details and Contractual Context
The $25 fee, collected from all traveling passengers, was introduced to fund security upgrades at Freetown International Airport. Securiport (SL) Limited holds the contract to manage the airport security system. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has clarified that the directive does not terminate the operating contract with Securiport (SL) Limited. Diplomatic passport holders remain exempt from paying the fee. This exemption for diplomatic passport holders notes a specific category of travelers not subject to the charge. The suspension follows a ministerial directive and will remain in place "until further notice," according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the suspension period, Securiport will continue its "core technological background operations," maintaining the logging of standard inbound and outbound passenger traffic data. This ensures that essential security-related data collection continues uninterrupted while the fee collection is paused. The $25 fee was specifically implemented as part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing security measures and infrastructure at the Freetown International Airport.
Audit and System Review
The outcome of the independent special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) is expected to determine the future structure of the airport security fee and its collection process. The government's review aims to establish "a more smooth, integrated collection system that eliminates public inconvenience for traveling passengers," according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This audit forms a critical part of the broader evaluation of the existing contract framework for airport security services. While the $25 fee is suspended, Securiport (SL) Limited will continue its "core technological background operations," including logging standard inbound and outbound passenger traffic data, as stated by the ministry. This continuity ensures that critical security information is still processed, even without the immediate collection of the fee. The government seeks full compliance from all airport authorities to ensure a smooth transition during this review period. The suspension specifically paves the way for a full review of the current contract framework and the completion of the ongoing independent special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL).
Public Concerns and Future Outlook
Passengers and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns regarding the transparency and the collection methods associated with the $25 Airport Security Fee. These public outcries have contributed to the government's decision to suspend the charge. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has indicated that the suspension will remain in effect "until further notice," allowing for a full review of the fee's contractual framework. This ongoing evaluation by the government aims to address the issues that have generated public inconvenience for traveling passengers. The outcome of the independent special audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) is expected to inform future decisions about the fee's structure and collection. The government is committed to using this suspension period to thoroughly evaluate the current system and implement improvements. This move shows the government's responsiveness to public feedback and its dedication to ensuring efficient and transparent public services.