ADNews-Monrovia: The political pressure group, Green Revolution of Liberia, has strongly opposed the proposal for the autonomy of Liberia’s seaports, which they claim is part of a “criminal cabal” within the country’s mineral industry. The group’s criticism follows the motion raised by Margibi County senator, Emmanuel Nuquay, who advocates for the decentralization of control over Liberia’s ports, including the Port of Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper.
In a press release, Green Revolution argued that the National Port Authority (NPA) – established in 1967 and amended in 1970 – is a state-owned corporation responsible for managing, planning, and developing all public ports in Liberia. They caution that any political move to amend the NPA’s mandate would undermine the authority and progress of the agency.
The group, led by Chairperson Mr. Manja Varney Gbassey Kromah, expressed concern over the motion introduced by Senator Nuquay on July 17, 2024, which proposed granting autonomy to Liberia’s seaports. Nuquay, a controversial figure recently sanctioned for alleged misconduct, argued that port autonomy would foster growth, create local employment, and attract investments. However, the Green Revolution dismissed these claims as misleading.
Concerns Over Economic Viability and Corruption
Green Revolution contends that the proposal is based on “fictitious lies” intended to deceive the public. According to the group, the promise of increased employment and economic growth from port autonomy is not supported by evidence. The group highlighted that the ports are already fully staffed and that any attempt to introduce new autonomy would likely lead to unrealistic expectations and potential crises. Additionally, 98% of the current workforce at these ports is made up of local residents from the surrounding counties.
The group further argues that investors are drawn to ports based on profitability, not administrative titles. Simply granting autonomy to the ports would not automatically increase investment or vessel traffic. Port operations, they note, depend on a strong market base for imports and exports, not the nomenclature of the port.
Moreover, Green Revolution raised concerns that the move could lead to tribalism, with some local communities attempting to claim national assets like the Port of Buchanan for their own interests. This, they argue, could spark social unrest and division. The proposal may also negatively affect current NPA employees and pensioners, as they were hired under the NPA’s authority and not under the jurisdiction of individual port entities.
Financial and Infrastructure Challenges
The group pointed to the Freeport of Monrovia as a key example, noting that the port, along with others, could not sustain itself without the financial backing and management of the NPA. In the past, when the Freeport’s berths needed reconstruction, it was an investor, APMT, that stepped in to fund the project. Similarly, none of Liberia’s ports have been dredged or modernized without the collective financial support of the NPA, which has enabled the country to secure loans for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Green Revolution also expressed concern about the future of ongoing development programs at the Port of Buchanan, where there are current plans for modernization, including the construction of a modern administration building, expanded pier, and dredging operations. They question what would happen to these initiatives under the proposed autonomy, as companies like ArcelorMittal, Mira Gas, and Yingfeng Wood Inc. rely on the Port of Buchanan for their shipping operations. Any disruption in port management could threaten these important commercial activities.
Port of Harper: A Dormant Asset
Finally, the Green Revolution drew attention to the Port of Harper, which has remained inactive for several years due to a lack of business and investment opportunities in the surrounding area. The group emphasized that the NPA has been shouldering the operational and personnel costs of the Harper port, as no private investments have emerged to revitalize the facility.
In conclusion, Green Revolution urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposed port autonomy, warning that the move could lead to corruption, inefficiency, and instability. They called on the Senate to prioritize the country’s long-term economic interests and ensure that the management of Liberia’s ports remains under the unified control of the National Port Authority.
The debate over port autonomy is likely to remain a contentious issue, as stakeholders continue to weigh the potential benefits and risks of such a significant policy shift.
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