SIERRA LEONE: US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000349 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR EWWT PINS PREL SL SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY VISIT -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Liaison Officer Doug Schneider visited Sierra Leone March 26-29 to introduce and discuss USCG port security programs and implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Ship and Port Security Program (ISPS) Code with GOSL officials. Liaison Officer observed port security measures at the main port and determined that minor modifications, including improved port perimeter fencing and surveillance and access control procedures, were needed for Sierra Leone to continue making progress toward implementing port security measures in line with ISPS Code. Port officials exhibited a high level of cooperation and were receptive to recommendations to improve security measures. Shipping company representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the level of port security and complained about ongoing corruption and cargo tampering. Port bureaucracy and high import tariffs are deterrents to importing goods through Freetown, and Sierra Leonean traders often opt to bring goods in through cheaper regional ports. Although Sierra Leonean security forces continue to be constrained by limited resources, the port security infrastructure appears to be in working condition. END SUMMARY. -------------- - USCG LIAISON OFFICER ASSESSES SL PORT SECURITY -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) USCG Liaison Officer LCDR Doug Schneider visited Sierra Leone March 26-29 to assess implementation of the IMO International Ship and Port Security Program (ISPS) Code and explain USCG maritime security programs to GOSL officials. Schneider found that most authorities with responsibility for port security possessed a reasonable knowledge of ISPS but were working with limited resources to implement measures to bring Sierra Leone in compliance with international maritime law. Schneider visited the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and found security measures to be mostly acceptable. He observed weaknesses in access control and security perimeter fencing and surveillance, but felt that those could be corrected with minor modifications. Schneider also visited the port authority's state-of-the-art scanning facility. The facility is privately-operated and scans all incoming and outgoing containers charging USD 100 per container. Port officials �A;told Schneider that the port handles a relatively low volume of approximately 32,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEU) annually. -------------- JMA SLOWLY BUILDS CAPACITY BUT LACKS FUNDING -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Schneider met with officials from the newly-formed Joint Maritime Authority (JMA),the independent government authority responsible for implementation and coordination of maritime security measures. Currently, the JMA is located in the Office of National Security (ONS),and the ONS representative is the acting chairperson. The JMA also includes representatives from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF),Sierra Leone Police (SLP),the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA),the Sierra Leone Port Authority, Ministry of Finance, Immigration and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The JMA does not meet regularly and is constrained by limited resources. It has parliamentary authorization to review maritime issues and draft appropriate legislation. ¶4. (SBU) JMA members expressed concerns about other West African ports, and how the disparity in security measures and customs regimes often gives those ports an unfair advantage over Sierra Leone and acts as a deterrent to increased cargo volume. Referring specifically to Guinea, they said that the port in Conakry attracts Sierra Leonean importers due to lax security and low import tariffs. Importers transport goods through Conakry and smuggle them overland into Sierra Leone at considerable savings. JMA members stressed that a regional approach should be taken to align port security measures and promote tariff harmonization at all West African ports to ensure a level playing field. -------------- -------------- COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AGENCIES ASSESS PORT SECURITY -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Schneider also met with commercial shipping agency FREETOWN 00000349 002 OF 002 representatives who expressed concern about port security and ongoing corruption and cargo tampering. The representatives clearly recognized that limited resources are an impediment to improvements in port security. However, they stressed how important it is to continue to push the GOSL to privatize the port, as it continues to operate at a loss due to its inability to generate sufficient revenue, primarily a result of stiff competition from other West African ports, low volume of cargo traffic, and corruption. Shipping company officials also complained the GOSL continued to use the port as a dumping ground for jobs given as political favors. However, they commended the job performance of the new Ports Authority General Manager (GM). Contracted by the World Bank through 2008, the new GM has implemented numerous reforms that have improved port operations and increased revenue slightly. The GM, who is Ghanaian, is the former General Director for the Port of Ghana. -------------- LIMITED SECURITY ASSETS IMPEDE PORT PATROLS -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Port officials told Schneider that the port employs its own private 160-person security force (Sierra Leone Port Authority Police or SLPAP),which is solely responsible for patrolling and port security. The SLPAP does not own any patrol boats and must call the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) maritime wing if it needs assistance. The maritime wing of the SLP owns three small boats but is often slow to respond. According to the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO),the SLPAP uses its one tugboat and pilot boat sporadically to patrol the port. However, shipping company officials disputed this assertion saying that they had never seen the SLPAP patrolling. -------------- USCG INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Schneider found port officials receptive to his recommendations. Speaking with the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO),Schneider explained how port officials could improve simple security measures like access control, tamper-resistant ID badges and monitoring of perimeter fencing. He also encouraged the PFSO to begin conducting regular tests and drills to test preparedness. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of security cooperation between the various offices and departments and encouraged GoSL officials to improve interagency communication on port security. -------------- MILITARY MATTERS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) During a meeting with Ministry of Defence officials, Deputy Minister of Defence Joe Blell voiced his displeasure over a misunderstanding on a boat gifting issue. He said that his Ministry had been under the impression that there was a possibility of receiving used U.S. military equipment, but had not heard anything further on the issue. Schneider promised Blell that he would research the issue and respond through the Embassy. Blell did thank Liaison Officer for the training USCG training teams have provided to the Maritime Wing of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Despite limited resources, Sierra Leone has made notable progress towards implementing maritime security measures. Port facility operations have improved over the last three to four years, and port and security officials appear to be making good use of their existing assets. However, insufficient government funding, the port's inability to generate sufficient revenue, poor interagency cooperation and ongoing corruption continue to impede progress. Additionally, Freetown continues to be one of the most expensive ports in West Africa. Until the GOSL takes appropriate actions to address the difficult port bureaucracy and its high tariff regime, it will remain at a competitive disadvantage. END COMMENT. HULL