APC’s Holland-Cole Slams Timing of Airport Fee Suspension

Western Region Chairman of the All People’s Congress (APC), Kasho J. Holland-Cole, has questioned the Government’s decision to suspend the US$25 Airport Security Fee at the Freetown International Airport, stating that authorities failed to address public concerns for several months before taking action.

In a statement posted on social media, Holland-Cole reacted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ announcement that the airport security fee will be temporarily suspended from Monday, 6 July 2026, pending a review of the existing contractual framework and an ongoing Special Audit by the Audit Service Sierra Leone.

While acknowledging the decision, he questioned why similar action was not taken earlier despite repeated complaints from travellers, businesspeople, and other stakeholders.

“The Government has now announced the suspension of the airport tax. The question is: if this tax can be suspended today, why did the Government spend so much time ignoring the concerns of Sierra Leoneans?” he wrote.

Holland-Cole said travellers had long argued that the airport charge made travel through Sierra Leone more expensive, adding that some passengers opted to use neighbouring countries as alternative routes.

“For months, travellers, business people, and industry stakeholders complained that the cost of using our international airport was driving people away,” he stated. “Many Sierra Leoneans chose to travel through Guinea because it was more affordable.”

He also questioned the timing of the suspension, noting that it comes days before Sierra Leone hosts the upcoming ECOWAS Summit.

“Now, with the ECOWAS Summit around the corner, the same Government has suddenly found a reason to suspend the tax,” he said.

He argued that government decisions should prioritise citizens’ interests rather than respond primarily ahead of major international events.

“A responsible government should make decisions based on the interests of its citizens first, not only when an international event is approaching,” he added.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has stated that the suspension is a temporary administrative measure intended to facilitate a review of the contractual framework and support an independent Special Audit. It clarified that the directive does not terminate the existing operating contract and that Securiport (SL) Limited will continue providing core technological services during the review period.

The Government has not yet responded to Holland-Cole’s remarks.