By Bill W. Cooper
The Liberian Senate has embarked on granting autonomy to three major seaports in the country, aim at decentralizing the country’s development and ensuring economic growth in Liberia.
The ports of Buchanan, Greenville and Harper being discussed comes as part of efforts to improve efficiency and transparency in the operations of these crucial economic hubs.
The decision was however made during yesterday’s sitting, following a report from the Senate Joint Committee comprising Public Corporations and Transport regarding the revamping of seaport in the country.
The National Port Authority (NPA) was established by an Act of the Legislature in 1967 and amended in 1970 as a state-owned corporation to manage, plan, and build all public ports with a system comprises of Freeport of Monrovia, Ports of Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper.
However, the Port of Buchanan is located 272 kilometer southeast of Monrovia and is the second largest port, as the harbor is protected by two breakwaters 1,890m and 590m long and inside the basin, a 225 meters long ore loading quay is located adjacent to the commercial loading quay, providing a water depth of 10.5m below the chart datum.
While the Port of Greenville is located in the southeastern region of the country, about 673.6 kilometers from the Freeport of Monrovia, as the harbor is protected by a 400m long breakwater, and on its inner side, by two quays and there are two berthing facilities, 70m, and 180m respectively, with an existing depth of 6m below the chart datum.
The Port of Harper is located in the southeastern region of Liberia, near the border with the Ivory Coast, about 761.6 kilometers from the Port of Monrovia, as the Port was constructed on Rocky Russwurn Island, by connecting the island to the mainland with a causeway, and by constructing a 150m long breakwater.
Margibi County Senator, Emmanuel Nuquay, highlighted the importance of granting autonomy to the ports in order to enhance their competitiveness and attract more investment as well as contribute to country’s development.
He said, “These ports are the gateway to our economy and it is crucial that they are able to operate efficiently and effectively in order to drive economic growth and development in the country as well ease the burden of citizens wanting to clear their goods from Freeport.”
According to the Margibi County Senator, Liberia is too old for its economic activities to be subjected to Monrovia alone and as such, the need to take key interest in the decentralization of the country’s development can never be overemphasized.
Nuquay added, “So colleagues, I would like to recommend that these three ports be given autonomy status and misappropriate from the NPA to ensure that the economic activities of these counties flourished and improved, ensure job creation and decentralization of our development.”
Buttressing his assertion, several senators including Pro-Temp emeritus, Albert Chie endorsed the decision from the committee, stating that the decision, once executed would enhance the capacity of port authorities to manage their operations more effectively.
The senators further stated that the decision is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, as it will help to reduce delays and inefficiencies in the handling of goods and services at the Freeport as well as bring about competition within the sector.
They added that it will also help attract more investment in the sector, leading to the creation of more jobs and opportunities for economic growth, ensuring the development of these counties infrastructures.
The Senate, at the same time, requested President Joseph Boakai to issue an Executive Order to grant autonomy to the three ports, as they continue discussions with various stakeholders and relevant authorities.
