By: Julius Konton
In a significant demonstration of the Liberian government’s commitment to infrastructure modernization and economic transformation, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. led a high-level inspection tour of the Bong Mines Company (BMC) and Liberian Mining Company (LMC) piers at the Freeport of Monrovia following the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Freeport–Gabriel Tucker Bridge roadway.
The guided tour was led by National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Sekou Hussein Dukuly, who accompanied the President and senior government officials to showcase ongoing and planned developments aimed at transforming Liberia’s principal maritime gateway into a more competitive regional trade hub.
Speaking after the inspection, Dukuly described the experience as both historic and inspiring.
“I was privileged to ride with His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in the Presidential Limo-1 to tour the BMC/LMC piers,” Dukuly said.
Throughout the visit, the NPA Managing Director provided the President with detailed briefings on the Authority’s long-term expansion strategy, outlining how the modernization of the port’s infrastructure is expected to increase cargo-handling capacity, improve operational efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround times, and strengthen Liberia’s competitiveness within the West African maritime sector.
According to Dukuly, the planned expansion will generate substantial economic benefits by creating both temporary construction jobs and long-term permanent employment opportunities while stimulating growth in logistics, transportation, shipping, warehousing, manufacturing and other port-related industries.
“The expansion will create many jobs, both permanent and temporary and significantly enhance economic activities across the country,” he explained.
The Freeport of Monrovia serves as Liberia’s largest commercial seaport and handles the overwhelming majority of the country’s international trade.
More than 90 percent of Liberia’s imports and exports move through the nation’s seaports, making continuous investment in port infrastructure critical for sustaining economic growth, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting regional commerce.
Economic analysts note that efficient ports lower transportation costs, improve supply chain reliability, encourage industrial investment, and increase government revenue through customs duties and maritime services.
Liberia’s strategic Atlantic coastline also positions the country to become an important logistics and transshipment hub for the Mano River Union and the broader West African region if modern infrastructure investments continue.
During the inspection, Dukuly commended President Boakai for what he described as decisive leadership in repositioning Liberia’s economy through strategic investments in roads, ports and other critical infrastructure.
“We are proud of how hard you continue to work for the Liberian people,” Dukuly told the President.
“I’m not saying that we are out of the woods yet, but I can confidently tell you that we are on an irreversible path to growth and prosperity”, he added.
His remarks reflect growing optimism among government officials that the administration’s infrastructure agenda anchored by investments in transport corridors, ports, energy and public services will accelerate economic recovery, create employment opportunities and strengthen Liberia’s long-term development prospects.
The inspection tour followed the official groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Freeport–Gabriel Tucker Bridge road, a project expected to improve connectivity between the Freeport of Monrovia and the national road network.
The road expansion is designed to ease traffic congestion, improve cargo movement, reduce transportation costs and facilitate faster delivery of goods to businesses and consumers nationwide.
Combined with ongoing modernization efforts at the National Port Authority, the project represents another milestone in Liberia’s broader infrastructure development strategy aimed at enhancing trade competitiveness, supporting private-sector growth and positioning the country as an emerging maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.
Government officials believe that sustained investments in modern transport infrastructure will play a pivotal role in achieving inclusive economic growth, expanding employment opportunities and improving the living standards of Liberians in the years ahead.
