Monrovia: The Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC) voice of the business community in Liberia says it is suspending its planned boycott action against all ports activities in the country due to the intervention of the Plenary of the Liberian Senate.
Addressing a news conference today at the headquarter of the LCC, Mr. J. Wendell Addy said, since the notification to boycott the transaction from all ports of Liberia/NPA which by extension will affect duties payments to LRA, there has been an intervention and discussions with the Ministry of Commerce, Transport and other institutions, including the House and the Senate.
Amongst several actions, the Liberian business community had planned to boycott the clearing of goods at all Ports, obtaining of IPDs and Payment of Government Customs Duties.
Mr. Addy said in respect to honoring a request from the plenary of Senate and the intervention of the Ministers of Commerce, Transport and others, all stakeholders in the Liberian business community are informed that the LCC is hereby decided to suspend the boycott of activities with the NPA pending the outcome of an investigation.
Stressing further, Mr. Addy noted, “The Plenary of the Senate has also been mandated the NPA to suspend any operations with the Global Tracking and maritime Solution (GTMS) and the CTN,” the Chamber President told newsmen during his press conference.
In a related development, the leadership of the LCC, on March 4, 2019, was invited by the Plenary of the Senate to appear before and respond to the current impasse between the Liberia Chamber of Commerce and the National Port Authority on the one hand and the GTMS/CTN on the other hand
Mr. Addy further disclosed that some executives including the Vice President of the LCC were reportedly invited by some agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) Monday, March 04, 2019, and noted that he is yet to know the reason of them being invited.
The chambers of
commerce, as the official voice of the business community, had earlier planned
to boycott the National Port Authority (NPA) effective March 5, 2019.
The “unanimous decision” was made after meeting with members of the business
community on February 25, 2019 to update the Business Community on the status
of the implementation of the Global Tracking & Maritime Solutions (GTMS)
Cargo Tracking Number (CTN) fees; and to decide/vote on a plan of action if the
issues of GTMS/CTN were not properly addressed by the NPA.
The Business Community was well represented through their various businesses,
organizations, & associations including the Liberia Business Association
(LIBA), Fula Business Association, World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU),
Liberia Wholesalers Association, National Custom Brokers Association (NCBA),
Association of Indian Community in Liberia (AICL), Pharmaceutical Importers
& Wholesalers Associations of Liberia, and Patriotic Entrepreneurs of
Liberia (the two PATELs).
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