LMA Commissioner designate unveils plans to boost coastal and inland transportation

By: Nicholas D. Nimley, Journalist & Contributing Writer

Atty. Neto Z. Lighe, Commissioner-designate of the Liberian Maritime Authority, has unveiled what appears to be a transformative plan to create a viable maritime program that promotes and sustains economic growth and reduces unemployment.

At his confirmation hearing on Thursday, March 7, 2024, Atty. Lighe told the Senate Committee on Maritime that the government “must be deliberate about supporting and developing coastal transportation, inland water transportation network, and ship bunkering services, dry-docking and ship support services, ship demolition, and recycling.”

He said, “Under my stewardship, the Liberia Maritime Authority will contribute to the achievement of the Transportation Pillar of the ARREST Agenda of President Joseph N. Boakai by providing alternative means of transportation through coastal and inland water transportation.”

The LiMA Commissioner-designate disclosed that while the central Government concentrates on interconnecting our nationwide road network, the Authority will ensure the safe movement of people through coastal transport, especially coastal transportation between Monrovia and the southeast, which is safe, secure, and affordable.

According to him, investments in coastal and inland water transportation will lead to the creation of a blue economy for Liberia. He added that it will also support sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, and employment for thousands of Liberians across the country.

“As defined by the World Bank, a blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources to benefit economies and livelihoods while retaining ocean ecosystem health,” Lighe said.

He added that his plans for the transport sector are due to the challenging condition of road transport to the southeast and the high cost of air transport to the region.

He noted that coastal seaborne transport provides a much more convenient and affordable alternative means of transport, which must be regulated to ensure safety and compliance with applicable maritime conventions.

“This multimodal approach to addressing Liberia’s transportation challenges will provide much needed relief to our people. We will, therefore, work to make this vital transport segment that supports the economy of the southeast vibrant and safe.”

Lighe revealed that his leadership will seek to increase the student enrollment at the country’s maritime training school in Marshall while also ensuring that “more young Liberians are provided full scholarships to study specialized maritime disciplines at the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, the World Maritime University in Sweden and other reputable maritime universities.”

He said cadets working onboard vessels will be provided the opportunity to do their officers’ courses after acquiring the required sea time, in keeping with international maritime law and standards, when cross-examined by senators.  

Regarding the Liberia Maritime Authority’s statutory mandate, in addition to ensuring clean beaches and a secured marine environment, Lighe explained that his leadership will work to ensure the safety and seaworthiness of all pleasure watercraft and other motorized boats used for tourism purposes.

“This will involve promulgating regulations to govern the operation of motorized pleasure boats, proper inspection and registration, and the issuance of the requisite certificates and licenses. In addition, the cleaning of the Mesurado River as a part of our intervention under the sanitation pillar of the ARREST Agenda will serve as a tourist attraction and social activity by residents.”

He promised that his leadership will design and implement policies to attract investment in these sub-sectors within Liberia’s Maritime Domain.