By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA – Rev. Luther Tarpeh, Chairman of the ruling Unity Party (UP), has voiced strong opposition to a proposed bill seeking to decentralize Liberia’s port system, labeling the move “premature” and financially impractical.
Speaking on the Punch FM Breakfast Show today, Tarpeh—who also serves as Board Chairman of the National Port Authority (NPA)—warned that the country currently lacks the infrastructure and capacity to manage independent ports outside the supervision of the Freeport of Monrovia.
Financial and Operational Concerns
Tarpeh dismissed the idea that decentralization would automatically lead to increased revenue for individual counties like Grand Bassa, Sinoe, or Maryland. He highlighted that currently, 90% of funds used for salaries and operations across all locations are generated by the Freeport of Monrovia.
The UP National Chairman also noted the infrastructure decay currently faced by the port, stating, “ships will not dock at ports with “dilapidated infrastructure,” highlighting that the government is currently courting international investors to rehabilitate the ports in Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper.
Reform Over Dismantlement
The Chairman suggested that the focus of the Legislature should be on strengthening the NPA rather than dismantling it.
“Some people think when we divide the ports it will bring money; it doesn’t work that way,” Tarpeh stated. “All you can do is strengthen if there is any weakness… instead of thinking let’s divide it.”
Tarpeh concluded that without a roadmap to handle the resulting “fiscal issues,” the bill remains a political move rather than a sound management decision.
Earlier this year, following stiff opposition to the bill by the Dock Workers Union at the Freeport of Monrovia amid initial veto by President Boakai, the House of Senate recalled the bill from the President desk for amendment. Critics of the bill have expressed concerns over lack of capacity, job security and legal conflict among others.
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