A group calling itself “United NPA Workers To Promote Good Management” has called on the Liberian Senate to disengage plans to establish Port Autonomy.
On October 17, 2024, at the height of the Liberian Senate’s agenda was a report from the Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Judiciary, Human Rights Claims and Petitions, a Bill for “An Act to Create Liberia Sea Port Regulatory Authority and Liberia Sea Port Decentralization.
But according to the group, the move of the Senate to establish Port Autonomy is distracting, selfish and intended to create a burden on the Executive Branch of Government.
Speaking to reporters on November 12, 2024, the head of the group Madam Tracy W. Kpehe said fragmenting the National Port Authority (NPA) would create economic instability, diminish service quality and jeopardize the survival of smaller, vulnerable ports.
Kpehe said the current centralized model, despite its challenges, provides the strategic vision, financial cross subsidies and unified management essential to Liberia’s port infrastructure, and the potential risks of autonomy far exceed any possible benefits, especially as Liberia seeks sustainable and inclusive paths for economic growth.
Kpehe said the NPA was established to manage, regulate, and develop Liberia’s port infrastructure, positioning the nation’s ports as gateways for trade, economic growth, and regional connectivity.
According to her, under the “An Act Repealing and Adopting Chapter Six of the Public Authorities Law”—specifically Chapter VI—the NPA is tasked with governing all aspects of port operations, from planning and development to maintenance and administration.
The head of the group said the primary mandate of the NPA extends across four major ports which include, Freeport of Monrovia, Buchanan Port, Greenville Port and Harper Port, and is responsible for standardizing operations, setting tariffs, collecting fees, and ensuring that each port adheres to regulatory standards.
Kpehe said the centralization allows the NPA to distribute resources, manage revenue flows and support smaller ports that are less financially viable on their own.
By Prince Saah
