Monrovia – The Vice President of Liberia Joseph Boakai has expressed government’s satisfaction in the ongoing transformation process at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Report by Edwin G. Genoway, Jr – edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline
The current Freeport Management team headed by Mr. David Williams and the APM Terminals has embarked on developmental projects aimed at transforming the Port to meet international standard.
Ambassador Boakai during his visit at the Port Tuesday said it was a good thing to see the modernization of the facility, something he says will boost the economy of the country.
Vice President Boakai during his tour of current transformation projects ongoing at the port expressed confidence in the current management team of the port and the APM Terminals for their innovation to carry on such project at the port.
Vice President Boakai said he was happy to hear that the APM Terminals was now looking for ways to step up the handling of containers.
“I am pleased with the project that is ongoing here at the port, it will help improve our economy and make our port internationally acceptable. I think the current team is doing well with the level of development that I saw today while touring the project site,” the Vice President noted.
APM Terminals recently broke grounds for the construction of a US$34.5 million container park as part of its port modernization program at the Freeport of Monrovia, the gateway to the nation’s economy. Vice President Boakai broke grounds for the project in June 2015.
The groundbreaking ceremony initiated the second phase of its expansion project at the port, which is expected to double the port’s current container yard capacity upon completion in June 2017.
APM Terminals Liberia Managing Director Mr. George G. Adjei announced on Tuesday after the Vice President’s tour that the completion of the US$34.5 million US Dollars terminal modernization program is expected soon.
He recalled that government signed a 25-year concession agreement with the APM Terminals that mandates the international container terminal operating company to develop and operate the Terminal at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Adjei said in compliance with the concession agreement, APM Terminals reconstructed and delivered a new and functional 600 meter quay – a concrete lying alongside or projecting into water for loading or offloading ships – with a 50-year warranty.
“This is another manifestation of APM Terminals’ commitment towards supporting the Government of Liberia in the country’s development agenda, we will complete this project by next year” said Mr. Adjei.
The APM Terminals Liberia boss said the landslide modernization project will include state-of-the-art safety features: a new administrative and operations building, yard pavement, new cargo gates with various channels, conventional drainage system, bio-metric access control system, close circuit television or CCTV system, real time updates of container movement and GPS based container location system.
The NPA’s Managing Director David Williams said as indicated by the APM Terminals management, the construction of the container yard will double the current yard capacity and enhance service delivery at the gateway to the nation’s economy.
With the help of all partners and the NPA’s hardworking staff, Williams said NPA is committed to always keep the seaport fully operational for the sole purpose of promoting commerce.