NATIONAL NEWS
Antwerp, Belgium – At the Liberia–European Union Business Conference, the Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), Hon. Sekou A. M. Dukuly, outlined what he described as a transformative vision for Liberia’s port system, signaling a shift from incremental reforms to a comprehensive modernization strategy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Dukuly and his delegation held high-level discussions with officials of Port of Antwerp International, drawing on the technical expertise of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — widely recognized for its advanced technological integration and efficient port management systems.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
The talks centered on governance modeling, operational optimization, phased infrastructure rehabilitation, and structured capacity transfer mechanisms aimed at delivering measurable institutional impact.
Framing the economic importance of the sector, Dukuly declared that Liberia’s ports are strategic national assets.
“Liberia’s ports, including the Freeport of Monrovia, the Port of Buchanan, and the Port of Greenville, are not peripheral assets. They are economic pressure points,” he stated.
According to Dukuly, increases in cargo throughput have a direct effect on food prices, vessel turnaround times influence industrial supply chains, and effective concession management plays a key role in shaping investor confidence.
He outlined a reform agenda anchored on five core priorities: infrastructure modernization aligned with market demand, strengthened concession oversight, integration of digital systems, operational efficiency benchmarking, and the elevation of technical capacity for Liberian professionals.
“We are not pursuing cosmetic reform,” Dukuly emphasized. “We are pursuing structured transformation — phased, measurable, and financially disciplined.”
At the heart of the NPA’s strategy, he explained, are three pillars: the development of a long-term master plan for Monrovia linked to commercial growth projections; institutional strengthening to enhance transparency and regulatory clarity; and robust skills transfer programs to ensure the growth of local expertise within the maritime sector.
While expressing openness to diverse partnership models, Dukuly stressed that governance integrity remains non-negotiable, particularly where advisory roles intersect with investment interests.
“Engagement must proceed within clearly defined scopes, deliverables, and performance benchmarks,” he insisted.
The NPA’s engagement at the Liberia–EU Business Conference signals what officials describe as a strategic repositioning — one that seeks to align global best practices with Liberia’s national development priorities.
In Antwerp, Dukuly’s message was unequivocal: Liberia’s maritime gateways are entering a new era — disciplined, strategic, and accountable — as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s economic development framework.
