By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), James Dorbor Jallah, has hailed the groundbreaking and site-handover ceremony for the ECOWAS Joint Border Post at Bo Waterside, Jendema as a “historic milestone” for regional integration, enhanced trade, and modernized customs administration.
The ceremony, held over the weekend at the Liberia–Sierra Leone border in Bo Waterside, Grand Cape Mount County, brought together government officials from both countries, ECOWAS representatives, and local community leaders.
The US$26 million project, fully funded by ECOWAS, is expected to be implemented over a 24-month period beginning November 26, 2025, and concluding on November 25, 2027.
The LRA release explained that the project once completed, the Bo Waterside–Jendema Joint Border Post is projected to dramatically reduce crossing times for traders and travelers, strengthen customs controls, enhance security, boost revenue mobilization, and create a safer, more efficient environment for cross-border trade,
Commissioner General Jallah also emphasized that the project represents a remarkable achievement not only for Liberia and Sierra Leone but also for ECOWAS as it strengthens efforts to ease cross-border trade and foster cooperation among member states.
He described customs modernization as the “backbone of trade facilitation” and emphasized that the new facility will become one of the most strategic customs infrastructures within the Mano River Union and the wider sub-region.
The Commissioner General further noted that the initiative reflects the region’s collective ambition to expand trade, create jobs, deepen cooperation, and ensure the free movement of people, goods, and services across West Africa calling it a flagship ECOWAS regional integration intervention.
CG Jallah reaffirmed the LRA’s commitment to supporting the project during implementation and future operations.
He also praised ECOWAS for its longstanding support, citing the organization’s contributions to Liberia’s customs and domestic revenue modernization efforts, ranging from equipment and technical assistance to capacity development, institutional strengthening, and VAT implementation support.
He further commended the strong partnership between the LRA and Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA), noting that both institutions continue to demonstrate the benefits of coordinated border management and joint customs operations.
Jallah praised his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura, for her leadership in advancing mutual capacity building and collaborative revenue administration.
According to the release, ECOWAS Vice President Damtien L. Tchintchibidja said the Joint Border Post model represents a modern and effective tool for transport and trade facilitation.
She explained that the facility will integrate modern infrastructure, interconnected ICT systems, a harmonized legal framework, and simplified customs procedures consistent with African Union Agenda 2063 standards.
Madam Tchintchibidja described the project as a vital link along major regional transport corridors and a key driver of free movement and
