By Fiona Benson Kollie
The 78-hours deadline to address congestion at the Free Port of Monrovia has expired without any result.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill constituted a joint committee on Good Governance and Maritime Affairs to work with relevant stakeholders to address congestion at the Port of Monrovia within 78 hours.
The decision followed a motion by Maryland County District #1 Representative, P. Mike Jury, during a hearing on Friday, November 6. The hearing, involved concerns over delayed imports, and challenges confronting local businesses.
Members of the joint committee are mandated to work with the National Port Authority (NPA), APM Terminals, the Ministry of Commerce, and other stakeholders to facilitate the removal of overstayed containers, and create space for incoming cargos.
Under the agreed measures, APM Terminals is to clear its yard of overstayed containers to accommodate incoming shipments within the stipulated 78-hour period.
The Ministry of Commerce will also utilize the industrial park, and other identified locations to relocate overstayed containers, while the working group collaborates with the NPA to reduce container clearance time and the huge charge by at least half.
Members of the committee will further investigate concerns surrounding overstayed containers in Buchanan, including reports involving vessels and other related arrangements.
Meanwhile, the House leadership, is expected to establish a specialized committee during Monday’s leadership meeting to examine high interest rates on loans affecting businesswomen, and other concerns raised during the hearing.
The hearing brought together importers, and business representatives, who complained about prolonged shipping delays, with some reporting that goods imported from China take between six and seven months to reach Liberia.
The spokesperson of China Business Women United with One Voice, Sriya Musu Momolu, told lawmakers how competition from Chinese traders is affecting the operations of Liberian-owned businesses.
The group called for the establishment of an industrial market where Chinese traders could sell their goods to Liberian entrepreneurs for resale.
Commerce Minister-designate, Stephen Yekeson, assured the business community that the Ministry would explore specialized loan instruments for affected businesses through the national budget process.
NPA Deputy Managing Director for Administration, James Bernard, outlined seven proposed interventions to address congestion, including yard expansion, additional cargo-handling equipment, the removal of approximately 700 abandoned containers, extended operating hours, and dredging of the entire port basin.
Meanwhile, Customs Brokers, President, James Hinneh, told the hearing that containers could be cleared within two days if importers completed pre-arrival processing before vessels reached the port.
He noted, however, that weekend operations mainly benefit importers who have already paid their duties, while unpredictable customs valuations sometimes leave others struggling to secure additional funds.
