In what he described as a “historic and long-overdue moment,” Buchanan Port Manager Johnathan L. Kaipay has praised the 55th Legislature for passing the landmark Ports Autonomy Bill, which grants independent operational status to the ports of Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper.
Appearing on Ableejay’s flagship program, “The Dumboy Show,”on Wednesday, Kaipay called the bill’s passage “a new daybreak for Grand Bassa County and Southern Liberia at large.” He stated, “For over 70 years, the ports have been monopolized under the National Port Authority. This autonomy finally gives our people a chance to benefit from their own resources.”
Importantly, Kaipay revealed that the bill originated from him during his tenure as Senator of Grand Bassa County, but it had faced delays and lacked traction at the time. “This is a vision I fought for years ago when I served in the Senate,” he said. “To see it finally come to life is a dream fulfilled — not for me personally, but for the people of the southeast.”
Despite Buchanan Port being a major trade artery for Liberia’s exports — including iron ore, rubber, and palm oil — Kaipay noted that only 5% of the port’s revenue was allocated to the county, a situation he described as deeply unfair. He emphasized that the push for autonomy is not political, but a mission to promote local ownership and sustainable development.
Kaipay extended appreciation to the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus for their unity and resolve, and gave special recognition to Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence for leading the charge to get the bill passed. He called on citizens to embrace the change as a defining moment in the county’s economic history.
The Ports Autonomy Bill, passed by the Senate and concurred by the House of Representatives on June 24, 2025, now awaits the signature of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to become law. For decades, Liberia’s ports — including the Freeport of Monrovia and the Port of Buchanan have been centrally managed by the National Port Authority. While Monrovia handled most imports, Buchanan, built in 1960 by LAMCO, played a vital role in Liberia’s export economy but with little local benefit.
With the bill now passed, Buchanan Port is poised to take control of its own destiny. Local leadership believes this autonomy will unlock major infrastructure investments and create new job opportunities aligned with Liberia’s Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development. “This is the dawn of a new era,” Kaipay declared. “The people of Grand Bassa and Southern Liberia are finally being handed the keys to their own prosperity — a future they should have owned decades ago.” Courtesy: Ablee-Jay TV
