The Governing Board of Directors of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), led by its Chairman, David K. Vinton, and accompanied by Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah, on Monday, February 23, 2026, conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing construction work of the new state-of-the-art Destination Inspection (DI) Facility at the Freeport of Monrovia.
The project, according to a release, forms part of broader port modernization and trade facilitation reforms to strengthen customs administration; enhance cargo management systems, and improve the overall trade efficiency.
The ongoing construction has recorded substantial progress in line with the established Construction Execution Plan, and is expected to be completed and ready by August this year, said Attorney Oliver N. Rogers, II, CEO of MTS Inspection Services Ltd-the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of the DI Agreement between the Medtech Scientific Dubai and the government.
The construction is being done by the Family Pol Business (FPB); a domestic corporation (Italian Owned), and supervised by Design Engineer Partner (Dubai) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works.
Rogers said, MedTech/MTS is committed to ensure that all its obligations under the DI Agreement are fully implemented, including completion of the modern DI Facility that will transform and modernize the Customs’ clearing processes at the port of Monrovia, including among other things, intrusive and non-intrusive inspection following the deployment of a complete scanning facility.
Board Chair Vinton, expressed satisfaction with the advancement of works, describing the project as a significant step in national infrastructure development.
“From what we have come and seen, this represents a significant and meaningful progress for our country. Once fully completed and operationalized, the facility is expected to deliver measurable benefits to the Liberian people and the trading community,” he stated.
Other board members (or representation) on the tour, included Madam Maureen M. Shaw, Andrew G. Paygar (for Ministry of Commerce) and Cllr. Cora Hare Konuwa (for Ministry of Justice).
Board Member Yvonne Bright Dennis, highlighted the modernization dimension of the project while highlighting system effectiveness.
“The design and infrastructure are modern and impressive. What will be equally important is ensuring that the operational systems, technology integration, and administrative processes are fully aligned to make this investment work efficiently for the Liberian people,” she noted.
Upon completion, the new DI facility is expected to significantly expand Liberia’s cargo inspection capacity said Rogers.
Atty. Rogers further narrated that unlike the current facility at the DI Site that was provided by Bureau Veritas Liberia, that is very limited in all aspects allowing for the inspection of at most two 40-foot containers per days.
However, the new infrastructure is designed to accommodate the simultaneous inspection of at least twenty-eight 40-ft containers, conduct non-intrusive inspection, warehousing facility to store more than fifty 40-ft containers load, uninterrupted utilities, canteen, emergency clinic, and an imposition three-story administrative building.
The building will be used as the one-stop-shop for all the relevant entities including CBL, commercial banks, APM Terminals, Customs, MTS Inspection Services, thus ensuring their systems integration.
The DI Facility will be equipped with modern scanning technology to enhance inspection accuracy and processing time.
The modern facility is expected to improve verification processes, promote compliance fairness, and strengthen transparency in customs administration.
In addition, the infrastructure will feature a dedicated deconsolidation platform for shared containers, enabling multiple consignees, especially small Liberian businesses, to clear their respective goods more efficiently. A secured holding area for seized goods will further strengthen enforcement capacity and ensure proper handling of non-compliant cargo.
Commissioner General Jallah underscored the strategic importance of aligning infrastructure development with institutional readiness.
“A modern inspection environment strengthens accuracy, integrity, and accountability in customs operations,” he stated. “This facility, once fully integrated with our systems and supported by trained personnel, will enhance revenue protection while facilitating legitimate trade.”
He further emphasized that while the infrastructure is being constructed and supported by APM Terminals, regulatory oversight and customs authority remain fully vested in the LRA, working in collaboration with the National Port Authority.
The Authority is concurrently prioritizing system integration, staff training, and technical preparedness to ensure seamless operationalization upon completion.
When fully commissioned, the new DI facility is expected to mark a significant milestone in customs modernization agenda, reinforcing the Freeport of Monrovia’s role as a more efficient and competitive gateway for regional and international trade.
