Following the summoning of the Global Tracking Maritime Solutions (GTMS), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the National Port Authority (NPA) at a public hearing at the Liberian Senate, Aminata Bangura, Managing Director of GTMS, has told senators at the public hearing that the company has played its part to properly operate under the laws of Liberia.
Bangura asserted that the company struggled since 2014 under the Sirleaf-led administration and was successfully granted the permission through the National Investment Commission (NIC) to operate its security system to safeguard the port’s operations in 2018.
She added that the company’s contributions are channeled through the National Port Authority (NPA), which is solely responsible for the collection of revenue generated through the smooth operation of the International Shipping Port Security (ISPS).
Bangura told the Liberian Senate that CTN contributions are not to be remitted directly to the national covers; instead, to the National Port Authority (NPA) for the purpose of maintaining the lighting of the port and other security features. She however noted that the company is open to the revision and amendments of its service contract with the Government of Liberia (GOL).
The GTMS Managing Director, who spoke eloquently at the public hearing leaving many senators and Liberians to understand the importance of the system, said Liberia is a signatory to the Global Tracking Solutions.
Meanwhile, speaking to scores of citizens at the grounds of the Capitol, Bangura underscored the need to support the company’s operation because it is contributing to the postwar development of the country. They expressed appreciation to the Managing Director for the clarity made during her interactions with the senators.
“We now understand the workings of the container tracking note, and no need for people to continue to carry on propaganda against your institution,” they said.
The citizens are calling on the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate appointed to review the destination inspection (DI) contract between the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and MedTech Scientific Limited, signed on July 8, 2018, and the container tracking note (CTN) contract between the GOL through the National Port Authority (NPA) and Global Tracking Maritime Solutions, signed on July 11, 2018, to review compliance with existing Liberian laws to maintain GTMS. They said they want MedTech out of Liberia on ground of no visibility of the company’s work.
GTMS was established in Liberia to create an effective and efficient cargo tracking system, virtually interlinking all major ports to a central global database system using a SAAS and physical architecture, employing the latest technology, infrastructure and human capacity.
Since its establishment in Liberia, and the company’s selection by the Government of Liberia (GOL) in 2018 as the Exclusive General Managing Agent with the license to implement the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) System in the country’s Maritime/Ports system and ensure full compliance, GTMS has greatly restored Liberia’s maritime image. Due to the effective cargo security measures instituted by GTMS, the US Coast Guard removed Liberia from the list of countries affected by the US Port Security Advisory, which required vessels to arrive in the US after visiting ports in the Republic of Liberia.
The operations of GTMS in Liberia are important because the company has not only pre-informed ports of expected cargoes and all other security measures, but has helped to better scrutinize cargo entering the nation’s ports, in compliance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code Part B of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
GTMS workings in Liberia have been beneficial to Liberia’s business community, increased job opportunities for Liberians, detection of illicit drugs recognition throughout the port systems, and increased Liberia’s revenue generation through the collection of the port management system.
The Tracking System has greatly minimized the issue of missing containers and improved shipping delivery in Liberia.
GTMS has been efficient in expediting and facilitating trade in both sea and land freight cargo by providing a one-stop global logistics management hub, vessel routing, value, and duty assessment, and port terminal handling advisers.