Freetown, Sierra Leone– Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its strong dedication to the Roberts Flight Information Region (Roberts FIR), a pioneering regional aviation cooperation managing the upper airspace of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, as the institution celebrated its 50th anniversary during a high-level Ministerial Council and Technical Committee meeting in Liberia.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, praised the Roberts FIR as “one of the few international aviation organizations that has demonstrated steady progress over five decades.”
He highlighted the economic benefits of enhanced air traffic services for the three member states and stressed the importance of adhering to the 1975 Aeronautical Accord, which he described as the foundation for accountability and stability.
Minister Turay underscored Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to the shared aviation agenda, noting that modernized air navigation services contribute significantly to regional growth and connectivity.
Leading Sierra Leone’s delegation, Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and Chairperson of the Roberts FIR Technical Committee, played a pivotal role in the discussions.
She described the golden jubilee as a moment to reflect on “five decades of shared technical stewardship” while charting a forward-looking path.
Madam Barrie emphasized the Technical Committee’s achievements in harmonizing procedures, ensuring regulatory compliance, and adopting modern systems aligned with international standards. The committee reviewed the 2025 Activity Report, approved the proposed 2026 budget, and addressed strategies to bolster governance and operational efficiency.
Despite challenges like aging infrastructure, Madam Barrie noted substantial progress in air traffic management, surveillance, communication, and human resource development.
She commended the Roberts FIR Secretariat for its leadership and internal cohesion, which have been key to the institution’s enduring success.
The meeting, chaired by Liberia’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, outlined three core priorities for the Roberts FIR’s future: unwavering focus on safety with zero tolerance for complacency; embracing innovation through satellite-based navigation, digital tools, and upgraded infrastructure; and promoting sustainability by balancing growth with environmental responsibility.
Minister Tyler paid tribute to the founding leaders – Presidents Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone, William R. Tolbert of Liberia, and Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea – whose vision in 1975 created this model of African regional cooperation.
As the Roberts FIR positions itself as a benchmark for managing Africa’s upper airspace, Sierra Leone’s active leadership through Minister Turay and DG Barrie signals a renewed push for safer, more innovative, and sustainable skies, fostering economic opportunities and regional unity for generations to come.
