Port Stakeholders Seek Joint Action on Clearance Delays

The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority brought together importers, customs officials, port operators, customs brokers and transport owners on 31 July to discuss complaints about delays in clearing goods and other challenges affecting port operations.

The meeting was chaired by Foday Manso Koroma, the Authority’s Director of Operations and Monitoring. It followed concerns from importers and calls for faster clearance of goods.

Importers outline concerns

Representatives of the Importers Welfare Association raised concerns about the time required to move goods out of the port, demurrage fees, haulage truck costs and access to port facilities.

They also cited concerns about what they described as preferential treatment for some containers and consignees. The association said some importers spend months dealing with clearing and forwarding agents before obtaining their goods.

Representatives from the National Revenue Authority Customs, Freetown Terminal Limited, Integrated Trade Service, the Sierra Leone Customs Brokers Union and the Indigenous Transport Owners Association also attended the meeting.

Capacity and working practices discussed

Koroma said the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority should not be held responsible for all operational bottlenecks in the clearance process. He attributed delays to both natural and human causes.

According to Koroma, the current port space cannot accommodate the number of containers. He also pointed to human factors, including attitudes toward work, as another contributor to delays.

A representative of National Revenue Authority Customs explained the pre-clearance, clearance and post-clearance stages to participants. The representative advised importers to use accurate invoices and correctly declare the items contained in their consignments.

The Customs representative also urged importers to pay closer attention to pre-clearance, saying this could help them receive their goods on time. Brokers were encouraged to arrive early and submit payment receipts promptly so Customs could make progress and generate the wish list.

“All of these blames are not on the SLPHA. If brokers come early to work, we can make progress; but brokers don’t come on time,” the Customs representative said. “Immediately you are done with your payment, bring the receipt so that we can generate the wish list.”

Authority promises continued engagement

The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority said it would evaluate the issues raised during the meeting and maintain engagement with the participating groups.

Participants also agreed to strengthen collaboration in an effort to ease operations at the port. The meeting did not specify measures or deadlines for resolving the concerns raised.