The interests of the Group are provided by UMARCO which
operates both as a consigning agent and a handler. Managed by Roy Chalkley,
the agency has 25 employees.
Monrovia
Port Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Infrastructure
Liberia has four main ports: Monrovia, Buchanan,
Greenville, and Harper. However, of these four, only Monrovia has the handling
facilities necessary for commercial usage. Buchanan, Greenville and Harper
ports are being used primarily for the logging trade.
Monrovia is Liberia's largest city and its administrative, commercial,
communications, and financial centre. The city's economy revolves around its
harbour, which
was substantially improved by U.S. forces under lend-lease during World War
II. In 1948 the first port capable of handling ocean-going vessels was opened;
there are now several ports, including a free port. Main imports include building
materials, general cargo and petroleum and exports cover bulk latex, cocoa,
coffee, crude rubber, iron ore and timber. Manufactures include cement, refined
petroleum, food products, bricks and tiles, furniture, and pharmaceuticals.
Roads and an airport connect Monrovia with Liberia's interior.
Monrovia calls were added to the OTAL schedule in
March 1997 after being absent from our sailing schedule for seven years. The
service was withdrawn because of the volatile political climate that enveloped
Liberia during the years of civil unrest. Over 150,000 people are said to have
been killed and a third of the country's 2.9 million population displaced.
The political atmosphere in Liberia has stabilised and new business opportunities
are emerging. A peace accord has been signed.
OTAL believes transport operators should be at the forefront
of the restoration process, helping with the developments in this tragically
war-torn area. Initial
lifting's were modest, but greater quantities of cargo are beginning to flow
both in and out of the country. OTAL serves Monrovia every 14
days on the Angola Shuttle Service.
Monrovia is an artificial harbour protected by two rock breakwaters
extending 1.25 miles into the sea ensuring 750 acres of protected water. There
is one turning basin with a depth of approximately 9.15m.
Monrovia port enjoys Freeport status. In the free zone cargo can be stored
in transit, free of duty, pending re-export to other West African states.
Monrovia Freeport has four piers and one main wharf. Three of
the wharf's four berths are operational, while the capsized vessel Torm Alexandra
[a 4,160
ton vessel capsized since 25 July 2001] occupies the fourth.
General cargo wharf: Four berths for general cargo. Containers
handled at the general cargo berths. Equipment includes top loaders.
A concrete based container storage area and provision for reefer containers
[but not connected to electricity to date] Poor cargo handling equipment, max
lift 50t. Width of wharf 1 0.97m with a concrete deck 14 tanks for bulk latex
with a capacity of 2500T. 8 transit warehouses totaling 10000sq m
Tanker facilities: Length of tankers for crude oil discharge are limited to
198.1m long and 13.71m deep. At present tankers with crude oil for discharge
moor with two bow anchors and lie alongside a breasting dolphin with stem moored
to a shore dolphin. One tanker berth is open for discharge and and bunkering
but is limited to 213.4m length and 10.06m depth.
Fishery pier: Situated on the Northern breakwater for vessels up to 73.14m
long. Cold storage is available.
The following handling equipment is present at the Freeport. However, due to
the recent conflict, much is now non operational. WFP and the United Sates
Military Joint Task Force are currently in the process of procuring those spare
parts necessary to reactivate the equipment.
Equipment
Quantity
Top Lifters (36-42mt)
1
Empty Lifter (14mt)
1
Forklifts (1 - 3mt)
3
Cranes
1
The NPA crane is theTEREX T160. The attributes of the TEREX T160
are outlined below:
In January 2004 the Management of the National
Port Authority (NPA) presented a needs assessment document to the World Food
Program (WFP) and the United nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC). Requests
were divided into areas of priority as follows:
Phase 1 - Freeport of Monrovia - provision of cargo
handling and marine craft, repair of offices and supplies
Phase 2 - Freeport of Monrovia - removal of wrecks and
port dredging
Phase 3 - Freeport of Monrovia - rehabilitation and
expansion of the wharf
Phase 4 - Freeport of Monrovia - miscellaneous - construction
equipment, disposal facilities, utilities
Phase 5 - Out Ports - Buchanan, Greenville, Harper
Phase 6 - Freeport of Monrovia - Long term development
of a modern terminal including a modern terminal inclusive of landside,
water front facilities and equipment, rehabilitation and expansion of existing
oil jetty and associated dredging works
Transport News
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Police Launch Vehicle Inspections - November
2008
The Liberia National Police are to launch vehicle inspections for road worthiness,
beginning with trucks, Police Chief of Traffic, Mickee S. Gray, has disclosed.
The exercise which would be launched by Police Director, Beatrice Munah Sieh-Brown
is intended to ensure that only road worthy vehicles ply the streets of Liberia.
He said the exercise which for now is a voluntary one would be launched at
the Monrovia Transit Authority [MTA] head office in Gardnerville, near Monrovia.
Nexportrade Launched in Liberia - 07/11/08
Nexportrade Houses Ltd [http://nigerianexporter.org/nhl/about.html], an initiative
by the various small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, has launched formal
international trade negotiations by sending a business delegation to Liberia
led by the organisation's chairman, Romeo Barberopoulos. Post negotiations,
Nexportrade Liberia Inc. was launched. The venture is expected to offer both
countries the benefit of discount on freight charges on consignment and market
intelligence and check-mating of faked Nigerian products in Liberia. [VAN
07/11/08]
New Approach To Curb Corruption At Seaports?
- 25/10/08
A 2-day national workshop was recently held on cargo shipping and clearing
at Liberia’s seaports. The main
focus was how to fight corrupt practices at Liberia’s seaports. National
Port Authority [NPA] Board Chairman,
Dr. William Allen launched a new whistle blower fund whereby any credible exposure
of corrupt persons
would be awarded financially. Representatives from the Ministry of Commerce,
Finance, and Stakeholders of
the Port among others attended the workshop. [LBS 25/10/08]
US Government To Remove Sunken Vessel At
US$15 Million - 24/10/08
Following a visit by President Sirleaf to the USA the US government has agreed
to remove the sunken vessel from the Freeport of Monrovia. A team from the United
States is expected to visit Liberia in December this year on an assessment mission.
The move is estimated to cost US$11-15
million. [TN 24/10/08]
Vai Town Bridge Reconstruction Begins Soon
- 29/09/08
The Vai Town Bridge linking Waterside with Bushrod Island, which collapsed
several months ago is to be
reconstructed. The government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works,
has signed a US$14.5million
agreement on 24/09/08 with Chinese firm China Chunk Wan International Construction
Corporation [CHICO]. The project will be financed by the World Bank
and is expected to be concluded in 2-years. [TA 29/09/08]
Bridge Linking River Gee, Maryland Collapsed
- 29/09/08
A bridge linking Rivergee County to Maryland County has collapsed due to
the over flooding of the Gee River
caused by heavy rains. The local authority of both counties are presently
collaborating to ensure the speedy
reconstruction of the bridge. [TN 29/09/08]
Ecowas To Send Trade Experts - 10/09/08
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Dr. Alhaji Mohammed
B. Daramy has revealed that ECOWAS will send a
team of experts to Monrovia to support Liberia's efforts surrounding the Common
External Tariff. Speaking at the
official launch of Liberia's National Coordinating Committee on Trade [NCCT],
Daramy said that Liberia has great
potential but the right enabling environment is absence.
The NCCT is designed to act as a platform for analyzing trade policy and trade
negotiation strategies along with their
sequencing and timing. The committee will also support trade negotiations at
bilateral/multilateral levels and
coordinate consensus building among institutions of governments and between
government and stakeholders. The
ECOWAS program will work with the Ministry of Commerce to set up a participatory
and inclusive trade policy
decision-making mechanism. The committee will be linked to the ECOWAScommission
trade department and to
other committees in other member states of the community.
NPA Halts Work On M/V Torm Alexandra -
19/08/08
The Management of Delta Impex, the company that won the bid to remove
the sinking vessel at the Freeport of Monrovia has been served notice by
the National Port Authority [NPA] to halt further works on the vessel
M/V Torm
Alexander and works to remove 14 other vessels sunk off the port pier.
Delta Impex was contracted to perform the task within 24 months but now
18 months
into the contract, the company is yet to remove any vessels.
The General Manager
of Delta Impex, Charles K. Mochiah, said the NPA management did not release
the contract until 12/01/07 and that equipment brought into
Liberia to complete the job under the company ‘Metropolis’ was
held for several months due to problems granting a duty free release on the
equipment. Once equipment was cleared Metropolis had only 2-weeks left on its
contract with Delta and had to leave the country due to other contractual agreements. Delta
then brought in another company, which sent a team to inspect the job and work
began on the wreckage. However according to Mochiah, while efforts were being
made to remove the vessels, the NPA management blocked workers from entering
the port by seizing their passes and allegedly granted permission to another
company 'Sandercon Construction Company' to carry out an inspection on the
vessel.
Mochiah reiterated that Delta’s
contract terms offered a no cost solution to the government or the NPA and
has recalled that the previous two bidders
competing for the contract in 2006 would take nothing less than US$3million
plus the scrap value. The NPA had initially contracted GETMA Liberia Limited
and Rio International to remove the wreckages prior to the contract with Delta.
[TI 19/08/08]
NPA Tug Boat Grounded - 08/08/08
The shortage of fresh water supply has reportedly led to the grounding of
the newly purchased tug by the
National Port Authority [NPA]. The Togolese boat which was purchased and
turned over to the NPA on
15/05/08 has been grounded since week 32. According to local reports the
tug needs about 8,000 gallons of
fresh water supply to cool down the engine and supplies are seriously depleted.
Fears are that the tug is not
being maintained. Tugs include the Bushrod Island [30 years old] and Defender
[38 years old]. [TA 08/08/08]
Mano Resources Company Targets Modern Seaport
- 01/08/08
One of the Liberia's leading post-war investors in the mining sector, Mano River
Resources Incorporated has promised to construct a modern seaport in the South-eastern
part of the country when giving the license. Its CEO, Karl Smithson said the
company has informed the government of its interest to mine iron ore in the Putu
Mountains in Grand Gedeh County, South-eastern Liberia. If approved Mano River
would expand its development plans to construct a deep seaport and railroads
in the South-eastern region of Liberia. The company has already reconditioned
bridges and highways in Weasua, Gbarpolu County and Tubmanburg, Bomi County.
[TA 01/08/08]
Gabon: Libreville Port To Close For 5 Days-
19/06/08
Due to dredging operations, please note that the port of Libreville Owendo
will be closed from Friday 20th to Tuesday 24th June 2008.
Local contact details
for the port:
OPRAG (Office of the Ports and Roadsteads of Gabon)
Head office : Owendo Po Box 1051 Libreville Gabon
Phone : (241) 70.00.48 - 70.17.59F
Fax : (241) 70.37.35
E-mail : info@ports-gabon.com
NPA Faces Set Back As Fire Destroys Port
Equipment-
30/05/08
The National Port Authority [NPA] is facing a major set back as fire gutted
one of its major top lifters
nicknamed the "Rich Tiger". The damaged to one of the ports major
transport apparatus used to discharge
containers has brought operations to a stand still. Local reports note the
insurance company is cooperating
with LNFS and the management of Safe - Bond Africa, the company contracted
by the NPA to conduct cargo
handling and who own most of the equipment. [TI 30/05/08]
USAID/LCIP Rehabilitates Three Majors Roads-
26/05/08
The United States Aid for International Development [USAID] Liberia Community
Infrastructure Program has
embarked on the rehabilitation of three major Highways in the country. The
US$ 2.3 million project covers a
150-mile road linking three of Liberia's counties: Grand Bassa, Rivercess
and Sinoe. Rehabilitation work will
be completed by July 2008.[TI 26/05/08]
NPA Commissions New Pilot Boat-
27/03/08
The management of the National Port Authority [NPA] has commissioned a US$190,000
pilot boat that will
be used to escort incoming vessels. [TA 27/03/08]
Police, Truckers Association Place Restrictions
On Container Vehicles- 14/03/08
The Truckers Association, the umbrella group representing container and other
commercial trucks in
collaboration with the Liberian National Police [LNP], and the Liberia Seaport
Police [LSP] have imposed a
set of restrictions on the movement of all container trucks leaving the Freeport
of Monrovia. The new
measures place restrictions on the movement of trucks within Bushrod Island
and Central Monrovia. The
LNP will conduct a vigorous check on all container trucks on the first three
working days of every month. Any
truck deemed un-roadworthy will be impounded. [TI 14/03/08]
New Guidelines for Container Trucks-
04/03/08
Following a recent death caused by a container truck, the Liberia National
Police [LNP], the Port Truckers
Association [PTA] and the National Ports Authority [NPA] have put in place
new regulations to prevent any further
occurrences. The new regulation is expected to streamline all container trucks
entering or leaving the Freeport of
Monrovia to be roadworthy and to be in perfect running condition. Effective
07/03/08 a specialist team will carry out
inspections of all container trucks to ensure that they are road worthy. A
new form has already been prepared by
the NPA that would give the go ahead for the truck to enter the port post inspection.
Stickers or access passes
would then be issued with regular monitoring. [TI 04/03/08]
US$1.5 Million Road Rehab Project Underway-
07/03/08
The Cavalla Rubber Corporation [CRC] in Maryland County is expected to embark
on rehabilitation of major
highways in Liberia at a cost of US$1.5 million. Equipment for the road project
has been reported to be already in
Maryland. [TN 07/03/08]
Mittal/LAC Develop Transport Infrastructures-
10/03/08
Arcelor Mittal Steel operating in Buchanan, has embarked on a series of development
initiatives including
rehabilitation and modernization works of the railways to connect with
Yekepa station. Mittal Steel has also brought
in two high rail vehicles with dual capacity that will be used on Buchanan
- Yekepa line. Twelve additional high rail
pickups are expected in April for transport. Mittal Steel is reconditioning
a 220 km road from the Liberia Agriculture
Company [LAC] site to Ganta at a cost US$2.2 million and in turn LAC
will rehabilitate the 40 km road linking LAC to
Buchanan. Westwood, SSF Corporation, Gray Construction Co. and Genesis
Corporation have been contracted to
undertake the work. [TA 10/03/08]
British Consortium Expresses Interest in
Freeport-
04/03/08
A consortium of five British companies has expressed interest to invest in
the Freeport of Monrovia after initial
assessments and meetings with the National Port Authority [NPA] and Chairman
of the National Investment
Commission [NIC] with the aid of local company Lorenza Incorporated. The consortium
includes the Infrastructure
Development Group [IDG] Maritime, Nectar and Coastal Reclamation Engineering
Services [CARES]. The group
are looking to target a 25-year investment. [All Africa 04/03/08]
Major Road Rehabilitation Kicks Off In Monrovia -
18/11/07 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has broken grounds for the start of major road
rehabilitation works in the country. The exercise will not be limited to
Monrovia alone but extended to rural Liberia, especially in the Southeast,
where roads in that part of the country are in a deplorable state due to
lack of maintenance over the years. Phase-one of the general rehabilitation
of roads will cost US$23.38 million. Phase-two, is estimated at more than
US$25-million. The amount is being solicited from the country's development
partners.
Areas to benefit from the first phase of the road construction and rehabilitation
include Greater Monrovia; Freeport to Red Light, Somalia Drive, ELWA Junction
to Roberts International Airport. Phase-2 will cover Cotton-Tree in Margibi
County to Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Caldwell and Careysburg. The road project
is being undertaken by a Chinese Construction company, Chinese Highway International
Corporation [CHICO]. The President also lauded those who contributed towards
the successful completion of the US$1.5 million Jallah Town road project. [TA
18/11/07]
Mittal Chairman Visits Liberia: Buchanan Port-
12/12/07
The Chairman of Arcelor Mittal Steel is visiting Liberia to hold discussions
with President Johnson Sirleaf centering on strengthening the partnership
between Arcelor Mittal Steel and Liberia. The visit is the first since the
company and Government concluded negotiations and subsequently signed a concession
agreement for the company to invest in the country. Under the agreement,
Arcelor Mittal, which is the world's largest steel company will invest nearly
US$1billion in Liberia. The Chairman is due to visit the Port of Buchanan
which will serve as the point of iron ore export. [12/12/07]
Maritime Signs Accord for MRCC-
12/11/07
Liberia has again made progress to improve her maritime development program
by signing a multilateral agreement for the establishment of the Maritime
Rescue Coordinating Center [MRCC]. The agreement brought together representatives
from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea; as well as the International
Maritime Organization, [IMO]. According to Commissioner of the Bureau of
Maritime, John Morlu, the center is expected to cover the 4 countries; as
per the outcome of the Florence Diplomatic Conference on Search and Rescue
and the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System [GMDSS]. [TI 12/11/07]
Stevedores Threaten Withdrawal From Seamen Union-
20/11/07
Leadership crisis within the United Seamen Port and General Workers Union of
Liberia [USPGWUL] has deepened with its Stevedore section threatening to
pull out of the Union. The President of USPGWUL, Nimely Davies said that
they were withdrawing from the Union as a protest against ongoing lawlessness
and violence, among others overshadowing the Union. Davis also disclosed
that Alfred Thomas has been voted out of offices as president of the Seafarers
section of USPGWUL several months ago for poor leadership ability. [TA 11/11/07]
Pre-Shipment Bidding-
23/10/07
Following a bidding exercise the Ministry of Finance has announced that four
companies have been short-listed to take over the pre-shipment exercise for
goods coming into Liberia. After a 3-week review of their submissions, COTCNA,
SGS, BIVAC, and INTERTEK have qualified. In order to win the bid they will
submit technical and financial proposals in sealed envelopes. However some
concerned business people have noted that this process should be open and
transparent and seek the involvement of the public to ensure that only a
company with sound record be selected. [TI 23/10/07]
China Eyes Costal Areas for Roads-
26/10/07
The newly accredited Chinese envoy to Liberia, Zhou Yuxiao has expressed the
need to develop the coastal territorial road network of Liberia to facilitate
trade. The Chinese envoy disclosed that the Chinese government brought 1000
pieces of heavy equipment to begin the road rehabilitation of the Buchanan
Highway amongst others. [TI 26/10/07]
Liberia Presses for World Trade Membership-
23/10/07
The World Trade Organization (WTO), in collaboration with the Liberian government
kick started the campaign to join the organisation with a 2-day sensitization
workshop. It will take at least five years for Liberia to obtain its membership
into the WTO and then only if the necessary requirements are met by the government.
Benefits would include enhancing the exportation of locally produced products,
expansion of domestic industries and promote Liberia’s economic growth
and development. [TN 23/10/07]
Storage Facility Dedicated at Freeport-
11/09/07
President Johnson-Sirleaf marked the opening of a new 56,000m2 storage facility
in Monrovia port on 10/09/07. According to National Port Authority [NPA]
Managing Director, George Tubman, the warehouse is not limited to any group
of business. [TI 11/09/07]
Delta Impex Begins Removing Sinking Vessel-
06/09/07
Delta Impex Incorporated is making last minute preparations to remove the
MV Tom Alexandra which sunk at the Freeport of Monrovia on 25/07/00. The
company
has reportedly started to fill the vessel with air bags attached to high
voltage air compressors that will expand the bags to enable the vessel
to float. [TI 06/09/07]
Port Gets New Chairman-
06/09/07
Dr William Allen has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors
for the National Port Authority [NPA] of Liberia. [TI 06/09/07]
BIVAC Unveils Office At Freeport-
27/08/07
Bureau Veritas [BIVAC] has unveiled an office for the Customs and Excise Service
at the Freeport of Monrovia. Deputy MD for BIVAC, Henry Bernard, announced
that the US$25,000 office, built to accommodate their partners in the same
compound, is hoped to enhance a smooth working relationship between BIVAC
and the inspection of goods and collection of revenues in the country. [TI
27/08/07]
Peacekeepers Rebuild Key Bridge Damaged By Heavy Rains-
31/08/07
Peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Liberia [UNMIL] have rebuilt a
key bridge linking the capital, Monrovia, with the western part of the country
and neighbouring Sierra Leone that recently collapsed, leaving thousands
of commuters stranded. The Kiakpu River Bridge, which is about 15km west
of Monrovia, is a vital route used for travel and commerce by both Liberians
and Sierra Leoneans. [UN 31/08/07]
World Bank Gives US$37 Million For Old Bridge-
31/08/07
As part of efforts to rejuvenate the infrastructural and agricultural capacity
in Liberia, the World Bank, in partnership with Liberia, has signed a US$37million
Agriculture and Infrastructure Development Project [AIDP] funded through
the International Development Association [IDA]. The AIDP will include the
refurbishing of the Gabriel Tucker Bridge, commonly known as "The Old
Bridge" as well as rehabilitation and construction of several major
bridges on principal road corridors; while funds will be made available for
maintenance of roads currently under emergency repairs. According to Liberian
Finance Minister, Antoinette Sayeh the project will also focus on managerial
reform of the National Port Authority [NPA]. [TI 22/08/07]
Container Scanning Program - 13/09/07 The Liberian Ministry of Finance have announced the implementation
of the Container Scanning Program starting from the 13th of September 2007.
Click here for
full details.
Liberia Receives a Grant for Infrastructure
Development: Monrovia Port - 31/07/07
The World Bank has approved an International Development Association [IDA]
grant of US$37 million to support the Government of Liberia’s efforts
in re-establishing basic infrastructure and reviving agricultural activities.
The ‘Agriculture and Infrastructure Development Project’ will support
the Government with a management contract for operation of the Port of Monrovia
and complementary advisory services to undertake a reform of the port sector.
It will also fund technical assistance to other entities of the Government
responsible for transport and infrastructure. The project will also fund the
reconstruction of the oil jetty in the Port of Monrovia, the rehabilitation
and construction of several major bridges on
principal road corridors, including the collapsed Vai City Bridge in Monrovia,
and on a number of smaller river crossings nationwide. Funds will also be made
available for maintenance of roads currently under emergency repairs. [WB 31/07/07]
Official Notice On Vessel Reception & Cargo Operation
- Monrovia Port Authority- 11/08/07
National Port Authority - Freeport of Monrovia
Memorandum -11/08/07
The management of the national port authority has taken cognizance of the deplorable
condition of essential port infrastructures and is taking the appropriate steps
to reinstate the facilities to desirable levels and thereby boost performance.
In this connection, the following procedures shall be adhered to as regards
vessel reception and cargo operation click
here to read on...:
President Puts National Police Boss On Probation Port
Clashes-
10/08/07
President Sirleaf has placed Police Inspector General, Madam Beatrice Munah
Sieh on a three-month probation, in relation with the 9 July violent clash
between the national police and the seaport police at the Monrovia Port.
The President overturned the Boima Fahnbulleh Committee recommendation, set
up to investigate the matter, to dismiss the police inspector general for “professional
misconduct”. In her six-count decision following the thorough study
of the Fahnbulleh report, the Liberian leader directed that the Port Authority
and the police to investigate the level of injury sustained and property
damaged during the incident for “an appropriate level of compensation”.
[APA 10/08/07]
Public Works: Road Construction-
03/07/07
Road construction and rehabilitation is expected to begin in Monrovia and parts
of rural Liberia during the dry season. Most of the road networks have been
in deplorable condition following the 14-year devastating civil war. The
entities responsible are the Ministry of Public Works [MPW] and the China
Henan International Corporation Group of Companies Limited [CHICO]. CHICO
is a World Bank sponsored project with a strong team of consultants. [TI
03/07/08]
Clashes At Monrovia Port-
17/07/07
Liberian National Police clashed with seaport police at Monrovia port placing
dozens in hospital on 09/07/07. The clash was over an investigation of fuel
theft. The fighting was quelled by UN troops. Calm has returned and normal
activities have resumed. Meanwhile the Liberian government has set up a Board
of Inquiry to investigate the violence apportioned the greatest responsibility
for the violence on the national police and has recommended the dismissal
of the Inspector-General of Police, Beatrice Munah Sieh. [BBC 09/07/07 /
APA 17/07/07]
Port Road To Be Rehabilitated-
28/06/08
The Minister of Public Works, Louseni Donzo has disclosed that the freeway
from the Freeport of Monrovia to the Red Light commercial centre on the outskirts
of Monrovia is to be rehabilitated. Major reconstruction of nationwide roads
is expected to kick off during the dry season, facilitated by Chico Construction
a Chinese firm as part of a World Bank initiative. [TI 28/06/07]
Monrovia Port Dredging-
27/06/07
The government of Liberia has entered into an agreement with Dredging International
to dredge the main entrance of Monrovia port. The company is currently in
the country and are expected to remain for 2 months with works expected to
commence mid May 2007. In November 2006 the World Bank approved a US$8.5
million grant to the Government of Liberia to support its infrastructural
regeneration programs over a 4 years period. One critical area needing urgent
rehabilitation was the Port of Monrovia including a dredging program.
Limited Equipment Stall Freeport Operations
/ Overnight Fees- 03/05/07
The problem of limited equipment continues to slow down daily operations at
the Freeport of Monrovia. The container park is over crowded with containers
that can not be transported out of the port due to lack of machines and of
the reported 3 units that do work these often mal-function. Brokers stress that
due to lack of equipment containers often remain overnight in the port and
become liable for "Over Night" fees put into place
by the port management. They claimed they pay US$21.50 for “their containers
to sleep at the port”. Operations cease at 1600hrs. Meanwhile, the brokers
are appealing to the management of the port to either remove or reduce the "over-night
fee" and bring in "a good company" that
will provide good services to speed operations at the port. [TA 03/05/07]
Liberia Assembly Ratifies US$1 Bln Mittal Iron Deal/Retains
Port Control- 24/04/07
According to Mines Minister Eugene Shannon, Liberia's parliament has ratified
a US$1 billion iron ore mining project signed with the world's largest steel
producer Arcelor Mittal. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf last year renegotiated
an agreement signed in 2005 by an unelected interim government, boosting
the state's interest in the deal and raising the investment from $900 million.
The revisions to the deal ensure the Liberian state would retain control
of its main port of Buchanan and a railway serving the mine, both of which
had been awarded to the steelmaker under the original agreement. [Reuters
24/04/07]
UNHCR Reconstructs Highways in Lofa County-
09/05/07
The UNHCR and the Government are to reconditioned the Voinjama, Kolahun and
Foya highways in Lofa County, with support of the World Bank, UNMIL and the
Swiss government. The Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), has engaged the
services of SSF Entrepreneur, Inc. [TA 09/05/07]
Road Maintenance Equipment Arrives-
16/04/07
The Ministry of Public Works is rehabilitating a number of roads in the county
including a major road linking Barclayville to Pleebo and has announced the
arrival of road maintenance equipment in the country. [TA 16/04/07]
IMF Sees Liberia Growth Surge-
17/04/08
Liberia's economic growth, already motoring at nearly 8% thanks to reconstruction
after a civil war, will surge above 11% on average in the coming five years
according to the International Monetary Fund. An IMF team which visited
earlier this month said however the West African country could not sustain
its huge
foreign debt, which totals nearly $4bn, and needed comprehensive debt relief. "A
similar growth rate is projected for 2007. Over the period 2008-2012, growth
is now projected to average over 11%, buoyed by the expected revival of
mining,
forestry and agricultural sectors," it
said. Arcelor-Mittal, the world's biggest steel company, is investing $1bn
in an iron ore mine in Liberia, including building a railway and upgrading
port facilities. [Reuters 17/04/07]
NPA Board Dismisses Top Managers-
26/03/07
The Board of Directors of the National Port Authority [NPA] has dismissed the
entire top management team at the NPA for lack of performance. According
to its Chairman, Musa Bility, they were relieved of their positions on 31/03/07.
NPA Managing Director, Togba Nangana, Deputy Managing Director for Administration,
Hans Williams and Deputy Managing Director for Operations, James Dogba Yassah,
have all been dismissed.
At the same time, the NPA Board has appointed board member Joseph Kollie Acquoi
I, as Acting Managing Director. Other Board members appointed include Mr. S.
Reginald Pratt, Acting Deputy Managing Director for Administration and Ms.
Grace Tee Kpaan, Deputy Managing Director for Operations. Ms. Kpaan is the
President of the Dock Workers Union of Liberia [DOWUL]. Prior to the dismissal
of the entire management team, the NPA Board had suspended the Comptroller,
Joss Woods. Also, President Johnson-Sirleaf recently appointed Mr. Togba Nangana
as Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Public Works.
[TA 26/03/07]
US Government Gives Road Equipment-
27/03/07
The US Government turned has given a Caterpillar motor grader, two front end
loaders, and a backhoe loader as first of several pieces of road reconstruction
and maintenance equipment, which are valued at the cost US$2.0 million. [TI
27/03/07]
Government Grants Waiver-
21/03/07
The Liberian government has granted a 100% waiver on storage charges covering
personal effects, humanitarian and medical items currently at the Freeport
of Monrovia. The decision to waive storages charges was reached following
a meeting between President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Management and
Board of Directors of the NPA. Under terms of the waiver, institutions or
individuals applying for waivers must clear all finance and other customs
taxes to qualify. [Liberia Government 21/03/07]
Netherlands & Spain To Assist With Liberian Ports-
19/03/07
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has held talks with Dutch officials whilst
on a recent visit to Europe. The Dutch government is interested in Liberian
Ports and what assistance they can render toward their rehabilitation. The
Dutch would also be looking at land reclamation initiatives. Johnson-Sirleaf
also held a series of meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister, Rodriguez
Zapatero.
As a result of that meeting, the Government of Spain will
organize a Mission to Liberia, to assess the possibility of undertaking renovations
at the port of Monrovia as well as the removal of sunken vessels in the harbour.
Spain is also expected to assume the leadership in the renovation of the port.
Both projects would be on a multilateral basis. [Liberia Government: 19 March
Press Brief]
