14 April, 2008

Murtala Mohamed Kamara, Liberia, Monrovia

Liberian Immigration Boss Appeals to Sierra Leone Authorities

A very senior official of the Liberian Immigrations Authority, stationed at the Jendema border crossing, told AfricaNews in an exclusive interview, urging the Sierra Leone authorities to reduce the high tariff imposed on getting proper documentations for the Liberian/Sierra Leone border crossing point.

The immigration boss who spoke on condition of anonymity said his counterparts on the Sierra Leone side of the Mano River Bridge are charging exorbitantly for acquiring the Emergency Traveling Certificate (ETC). The fee for the ETC is going for a fee of approximately $20 (Twenty U.S dollars) which according to the immigration boss serves as a stumbling block for businessmen who usually ply that route. He said he is urging the Sierra Leonean authorities to reduce that amount as many people cannot afford that. He confirmed to AfricaNews that plans are on the way to reduce the $7 which the Liberian Immigration Authorities are currently charging. He said the Sierra Leonean authorities must provide other alternatives to the ETC, for students, disabled people, and the underprivileged.

On their part the Sierra Leonean Immigration Authorities stationed at the other side of the bridge said the Sierra Leone Government has promised to address this issue. The Immigration Chief said the Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr. Kemoh Sesay once paid that same amount and promised to address that issue with the Sierra Leone National authorities but since then nothing has been done.

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