By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, D.S.
Abdul Kargbo, the Parliamentary Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has firmly denied allegations made by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who alleged that Kargbo urged for the suspension of operations of “Air Sierra Leone” due to safety concerns.
In a recent interview, Kargbo refuted Sengeh’s claims, asserting, “I never made such a statement about ‘Air Sierra Leone’ being removed from the airspace.” He emphasized that his discussions related to air travel did not occur at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament, as suggested by the Chief Minister. Instead, Kargbo clarified that the conversations took place during a decentralized meeting in Togo, which focused on the high cost of flight tickets in the sub-region.
Kargbo expressed concern about the high expenses associated with international travel compared to local flights. He highlighted the significant costs of flying from Lagos to Abuja, where business class tickets can reach $200 for a mere 50-minute journey. “When you leave here to travel to Nigeria or Ghana, you will pay more; it is too expensive,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Kargbo noted that Senegal and The Gambia have signed agreements to treat flights between their countries as local travel, thereby exempting them from international dues or taxes. This initiative aims to reduce travel costs and improve regional connectivity.
Addressing safety issues linked to the airline, Kargbo referenced a specific incident where a flight had to return shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue he described as a “bulb” fluctuation. He stated, “I thought it fit that as a representative of my people, I should seek their interest. Anything that has to do with their well-being, their lives is my responsibility.”
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