The Senate has endorsed recommendations from the Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Transportation regarding the revamping of seaports in the country.
The Joint Committee has advised the plenary of the Liberian Senate to recommend to the Executive Branch of government the issuance of an Executive Order on the National Port Authority Operational Control over other ports in the country, as the Senate prepares to take legislative actions to revamp all seaports.
The Senate Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Transportation has recommended measures for revamping all Seaports across the country for economic enhancement and port efficiency.
According to a Senate press release, the Joint Committee described as counterproductive the over-centralization of port systems, giving NPA operational authority control which is contrary to the decentralization drive of the government. The release said it hinders economic growth.
The Joint Committee also maintained that granting autonomy to local ports in the country would create investment opportunities for the development and modernization of these ports, as well as to create options for port users, thereby easing the constraints at the congested Freeport of Monrovia.
Meanwhile, the Joint committee however highlighted the creation of job opportunities, lubrication of economic activities and stimulation of development in the counties that host varied seaports in the country.
At the same time, the Joint Committee proposed two draft bills for plenary’s indulgence and considerations: “An Act to Amend Chapter 6 of the Public Utility Law Creating the National Port Authority and to Create Seaport decentralization and Modernization Act and Grant Autonomy to the Ports of Sinoe, Buchanan and Harper”, and “An Act Establishing Seaport and Inland Port Regulatory Authority’’.