The newly appointed Ombudsman of Sierra Leone has confirmed that both the Government of Sierra Leone and Summa Airport Authority have to pay slightly above seven million United States dollars (US$7M) to close to five hundred (500), former workers of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA).

Speaking on the issue of the former workers that have been laid off, following the takeover by Summa Airport Authority, the Ombudsman said they are using different methods to address concerns of the workers. He said in some cases where the law is bad, they will draw the attention of government to ensure it is seriously looked into.

“Immediately I took over I received complaint of the non-payment of end of service benefit and other entitlement to former workers of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority,” he said, adding that during their fact finding they realized that government is not refusing to pay the former workers, but they are concerned on when and how the payment will be made.

“US$7M is a huge amount. Government has priotizes their expenditure and when Summa Airport Authority came in, they decided to take the liability. We are trying to mediate between the Airport authorities and the former workers,” he said, adding that they are trying to ascertain those who are alive, dead and those who have been re-engaged by Summa Airport Authority.

Commenting on the issue, the Minister of Employment and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray emphasized that a lot has been done in trying to address the issue. He said “There is work in progress as far as the former Airport workers issue is concerned.”

He pointed out that it was cabinet decision, adding that those that are paying the cheques are in the process of doing that.

He said he discussed the issue with the Minister of Finance last week to show Government commitment to addressing that issue.