In response to the criticisms directed at him regarding the performance of the National Port Authority (NPA), Managing Director Sekou Dukuly has labeled these claims as “unfounded” and nothing more than propaganda.
Speaking to journalists on March 17, 2025, at the NPA office in Monrovia, Dukuly expressed his commitment to President Joseph N. Boakai’s agenda, asserting that under his leadership, the NPA will undergo significant changes.
He stated, “Those claims you heard about the port are unfounded, and we are not deterred because we are following President Boakai’s message of ‘no business as usual.’ The NPA will never be the same under our leadership.”
Dukuly mentioned that since he was appointed managing director, the port has contributed $3 million to the national budget in its first year. He acknowledged that the past fourteen months have been challenging but rewarding.
“When the government took over, not only the NPA but every institution faced difficulties ranging from infrastructure and logistics to hiring and unpaid bills,” he explained.
To realign the port on the right path, Dukuly emphasized the importance of hiring the right people and placing them in appropriate positions. He also highlighted international partnerships, revealing that the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia trained twenty-five NPA employees in China. These employees are now contributing to the improvement of port operations. During their time in China, they attended Nimbo Polytechnic University, where their training was focused on enhancing technical skills in global port management.
Regarding major agreements, Dukuly mentioned the review of the Marine Service Agreement, which he believed should have taken place in August 2023. When asked about his plans for the NPA in 2025, he indicated a commitment to adhering to the Public Financial Management (PFM) laws, which require the NPA to contribute from its dividends.
Dukuly stated, “We will wait for the dividend to be declared and make that portion of the dividend payment to the central government. However, let’s not forget about the taxes that have been withheld from concessions.”
He added, “When people consider contributions to the national budget, they view the port as a gateway. When I appeared before the Senate to discuss the budget, the Senators indicated they would assess the National Port Authority at about $5.8 million, which I believe was not a failed assessment.”
