New Minister of Transport and Aviation Rtd. Col. Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq. on 11 August 2023 taken over from his predecessor Kabineh Kalloh during a Sectorial meeting with the Management and staff of the Ministry, SLIRUMP, Board members, and Heads of Agencies.
In his opening statement, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation who doubles as the chairman for the programme, Honorable Rex Bonapha expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of all staff of the transport sector to the erstwhile Minister for his commitment and dedication in providing the leadership role as political head of the Ministry that supervises the transport sector agencies in the country.
In his statement, the out going Minister Kabineh Kalloh thanked His Excellency, the President Dr. Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio for given him the opportunity and privilege to server as the Country’s Minister of Transport and Aviation for a complete Five (5) years in his first term as president of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
“All this happened not because of my own knowledge or strength but because of all the hard work and dedication of staff of the Ministry and its agencies, on that note, I want to thank everybody’’ Kabineh maintained.
He emphasized that despite their individual differences on issues bordering on transportation at sea, air or land they always come to a conclusion in the interest of the Ministry on behalf of the country.
He stressed that (5) five years ago, he was there to receive the mantle as the Minister of Transport and Aviation and so also in five years after, now he is there again to handover the mantle of the Ministry to no less a person but a colleague, friend and brother.
He also expressed his delight to handover the leadership to somebody, he said, he knows can deliver the expectations of His Excellency in the delivery of a safe, reliable, accessible and affordable transportation at sea, air and land, adding that the Ministry has achieved a lot which are highlighted in the handing over report.
He ended by expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation to all staff of the Ministry, SLIRUMP, and its agencies for their unflinching supports and dedication towards the work they were tasked to undertake during his tenure as Minister.
The Director of Transport, who doubles as the Project Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (SLIRUMP), Hindolo Shaka thanked the erstwhile Minister for the opportunity given to him, to work with him in the way they did to where they are now as a Ministry and wished him well in his new endeavor.
He welcomed the new Minister to the Ministry stating that they are looking forward to working with him as professional to take the Ministry to a higher height.
The Senior Permanent Secretary, Al-Hassan Kondeh expressed similar sentiments of praise to the outgoing Minister for his supports and dedication towards achieving set results.
He assured the incoming Minister of the Ministry’s unflinching and unweaving support in ensuring that he delivers his assigned functions as Minister, adding that they want to contribute and be part of the legacy of His Excellency the President Dr. Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio.
In his statement, the incoming Minister, Honourable Rtd. Col. Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq. expressed thanks to God Almighty and the people of Sierra Leone for reposing confidence and trust in the government of His Excellency, the President Dr. Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio by electing him for the second time in office as President for the Republic of Sierra Leone to continue his vision.
He said part of the President’s vison includes Agriculture (Feed Salone) in the five (5) items amongst others as game changer, adding that Agriculture as the heart and bread basket of the nation to feed the people is going to be key in the second term of their administration.
“This is where the Ministry of Transport and Aviation comes in; this is where our legacy is required, as simply put it, we have to be able to facilitate the movement of those food stuffs from those villages to the capital city and other parts around the world, but to do that, I will need the support of you all” Minister Fanda Turay maintained.
He acknowledged the frantic efforts of the outgoing Minister for the reforms and transformation in the country’s transport sector and assured him that his good works done would not be watered down but would be the bed rock upon which he would build on to ensure a resilient and sustainable transportation system in the country.
He expressed thanks and appreciation to the erstwhile Minister for his service to the government and people of Sierra Leone.
Credit: INFORMATION UNIT MoTA
