By Ragan M. Conteh

The Deputy opposition Leader in Parliament Hon. Daniel Koroma has stated on Thursday 18th July, 2024 in the Chambers of Parliament that the “Sierra National Airlines is in coma”.

He made the disclosure when debating on the Air Service Agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Singapore dated 26th December 2013 and agreement between Sierra Leone and Czech Republic.

Speaking more on this issue, Hon. Daniel Koroma said, “we must aspire for greater good; not to ignore the continuity aspect of our aviation industry.”

According Hon. Koroma the Mammah Airport Project should have been continued which would have made the aviation industry more lucrative.

The Member of Parliament from Kambia District who also doubles as the Chief Whip of the opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara also stated that the government should start to engage international community to reduce the very expensive “flight ticket cost” for travellers.

According to Hon. Kamara, Sierra Leone air ticket price is the most expensive in the sub-region.

The speaker stated that “Sierra Leoneans have inculcated the culture of traveling, and raising the cost on travelling will affect them,”.

“We must have an aspiration as a nation,” the Speaker cautioned.

Hon. William Lamin stated that ‘owning an aircraft is not like owning an okada or Kekeh’.

The deputy house Speaker Hon. Tawa appreciates Hon.Tamba Kellie’s concerns over the “country’s need to have its own aircraft.”

The female SLPP from Kailhun District Hon. Emilia Lolloh Tongi informed the house that MPs should be involved in agreement negotiations.

“We need our own flight and a direct flight,” she said.