To Disengage Plan To Establish Port Autonomy
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberian Senate has been urged to abandon its intention to create port autonomy by a group identifying itself as “United NPA Workers To Promote Good Management.”
A report from the Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Judiciary, Human Rights Claims and Petitions on a Bill for “An Act to Create Liberia Sea Port Regulatory Authority and Liberia Sea Port Decentralization” was at the top of the Liberian Senate’s agenda on October 17, 2024.
However, the organization claimed that the Senate’s decision to create port autonomy is self-serving, distracting, and meant to put more strain on the government’s executive branch.
On November 12, 2024, Madam Tracy W. Kpehe told reporters that dismantling the National Port Authority (NPA) would be detrimental to service quality, cause economic instability, and endanger the existence of smaller, more susceptible ports.
Despite its difficulties, the present centralized approach offers the strategic vision, cross-subsidy funding, and unified administration that are crucial to Liberia’s port infrastructure, according to Madam Kpehe, the group’s leader.
The prospective hazards of autonomy, she continued, greatly outweigh any potential advantages, particularly as Liberia looks for inclusive and sustainable avenues for economic development.
The Port was created to administer, regulate, and develop Liberia’s port infrastructure, establishing the country’s ports as gateways for commerce, economic growth, and regional connectivity, Madam Kpehe stated, providing an outline of the NPA and legislative background.
Specifically, Chapter VI of the “An Act Repealing and Adopting Chapter Six of the Public Authorities Law” assigns the NPA the responsibility of overseeing all facets of port operations, from planning and construction to administration and maintenance, she claims.
“The legislative mandate gives the NPA broad oversight and significant authority to make sure that all public ports meet operational requirements, adhere to national standards, and promote a cohesive maritime network,” she told reporters.
The group’s leader clarified that the NPA’s main objective encompasses four significant ports: Harper Port, Greenville Port, Buchanan Port, and Freeport of Monrovia.
As the central governing body, the NPA is in charge of standardizing operations, establishing rates, collecting fees, and making sure every port complies with legal requirements, Madam Kpehe continued.
She indicated that the centralization allows the NPA to distribute resources, manage revenue flows, and support smaller ports that are less financially viable on their own.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
