Over misinformation of alleged cocaine shipment, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has confirmed that the matter has been looked into and the person in question was not a Sierra Leonean either the ship was from Sierra Leone.

A follow up on the issue established that a white foreigner by the name of THOR along with his gang was arrested sometimes in 2022 in connection to a cocaine shipment into the Freetown port.

With an attempt to conceal his true identity, the white foreigner falsely claimed to be a Sierra Leonean.

Director General of Port Authority, Yankuba A. Bio, said the incident is an outdated matter that has been thoroughly investigated and confirmed that it has no connection to Sierra Leone.

The DG emphasized that the Port is “well-structured” with advanced technological equipment that held to  detect any illegal materials entered into the port.

Yesterday Thursday, 19 Dec, 2024, Gleaner Newspaper published an article, with a title, ‘’Confusion Erupts at Ports Authority over Alleged 104 Million Pound Cocaine Shipment. ’’

This headline story is decried as falsified and absolutely misleading, according to information revealed by senior authorities at the Port.

It could be that Gleaner newspaper may have misunderstood the issue surrounding the Cocaine Shipment or just merely trying to damage the hard-earned reputation of SLPHA in its entirety.

The Port Authority, under the leadership of DG Askia Bio, is said to have undergone significant transformations.

The very man at work, Askia Bio, has transformed the Port from a paper based system to digital convenient workplace, and has greatly improved the operational efficiency of the administrative work.

The shift to electronic system has streamlined processes, reduced delays and enhanced the overall coordination between stakeholders within the ports ecosystem, the port heads said.

On the increased in cargo Transit, since  Mr Askia Bio assumed  office, cargo transits have seen an increase volumes rising to 19,00 ton, and cargo transit has also seen a reduction in vessel turnaround time.

The DG has also improved the turnaround time which has led to massive increase in operational efficiency at the port.

On berth extension progress, the extension berth of the port records a  90% and, if completed, it will accommodate more vessels.

Also the relocation of the administrative building  is in progress.

In fulfilling the Big Five of President Bio, DG Bio has employed 200 youths to work  as permanent staff, a milestone that has strengthened the workforce of the port to ensure sustainability in operation and management.

Yankuba Bio leadership at SLPHA is backed by his 13-years of experience in the maritime industry.

His extensive knowledge and hands on expertise have positioned him as a key figure in transforming Sierra Leone’s Freetown port operations.