The Movement with Integrity for National Development (MIND) has condemned any attempt to cancel the contract of Global Tracking and Maritime Solutions (GTMS) with National Port Authority (NPA), which has been tracking cargoes and containers arriving in Liberia through the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) System.
MIND, in a release, said investigation has revealed that GTMS has been effective and efficient over the years, tracking items on board of ships which arrive at the Freeport of Monrovia with all necessary information regarding the security of cargo items from the point of loading abroad, making Liberia compliant with anti-terrorism measures in its maritime operations.
The group noted that the United States Coast Guard announced that it was removing the restriction of entry on vessels from Liberia into United States waters, which had been in place since 2005 due to the fact that Liberia had been found to be one of the countries not maintaining effective counter-terrorism measures at its ports.
The civil society organization stated that, GTMS Holdings, a maritime company known for its prudent work in cargo tracking and its potential of reporting terrorism activities and illicit products, amongst others, has, since 2018, saved vessels arriving from Liberia the embarrassment of the special security measures upon arrival in the United States.
MIND lamented the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Amin Modad, recommending to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai the cancelation of the GTMS contract and fronting for Med-Tech Scientific Limited while NPA is reviewing GTMS ‘s contract for renewal, which undermines international compliance of maritime operations.
The group emphasized that GTMS is empowered through CTN advanced data declaration and the full integrity of data from shippers of import and export freight, and Minister Modad seeking the cancellation of GTMS contract should be condemned.
It noted that GTMS Holdings is a United Kingdom company which was first established in 2014 and created effective and efficient cargo tracking system virtually interlinking all major ports to a central database system.
“During the public hearing Wednesday at the Liberian Senate, it was demonstrated that Minister Modad and others are really fronting for MedTech by seeking for the cancellation of GTMS based on the high cost of charges on goods during port clarence,” MIND said in a press release.
“At the hearing, the Managing Director of GTMS, Madam Aminata Bangura, clarified that GTMS has nothing to do with goods charges, rather ensuring that cargoes and containers coming to Liberia are saved and without security threat to the country.
“Madam Bangura also revealed that when business people go abroad to purchase goods they sometimes under-declare the actual cost of goods abroad, but GTMS can provide the data of pricing of goods abroad to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to determine the traffic on these goods in collecting effective government revenues from the business community,” the release observed.
The group appealed to President Boakai to maintain the GTMS contract in Liberia that the company may carry out its good work of tracking cargoes and illicit goods in containers as well as making Liberia compliant with international maritime standard of operation in the marine sector.
MIND cited that it is because of GTMS working that US$100 million worth of illicit drugs and guns with ammunition were discovered at the Freeport of Monrovia.
“We believe that as the NPA authorities are reviewing the contract of GTMS, they should take into consideration the best interest of the Liberian people and the security of the country. GTMS is doing that very well,” the group stated.