NPA to waive $1.9m
The Managing Director of the National Port Authority, David F. Williams, has disclosed the NPA is expected to waive storage on 332 containers that overstayed within the port 90 days and above with a total accumulated storage charge of approximately $1.9 million.
He said this is in fulfillment of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s mandate as contained in her 11th Annual Message regarding waiver of storage on containers that overstayed 90days and above, the NPA has worked out modalities and will start Public Service Announcement effective February 10, 2016 with details regarding storage waved, container listing, validation of consignees, clearing documents, customs payment and terminal handling charges which must be paid to APM Terminal.
Addressing a press conference Monday at the NPA, Mr. Williams said the exercise is intended to provide incentive to small businesses, which will help facilitate commerce in order to stimulate the economy.
He said the exercise will be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the management of APM Terminal. “The President saw the need to do this waiver due to the fact that the economy is under severe stress due to exogenous factors, primarily the price of major commodities on the international markets such as rubber, iron ore and the effects of the Ebola Virus disease, which had a negative effect on the Liberian economy”, the NPA boss explained.
He said the measure is also aimed at enhancing port operational efficiency from the stand point of congestion in the container yard, where there is need for an improvement of quick turnaround in container traffic.
Director Williams expressed gratitude to the President for her foresight in trying to bring relief to the Liberia people during these times of economic hardship, including Liberians in the diaspora who shipped containers during the same period.
He noted that as of April, the port is going to run 24 hours service to have more investors in the country.
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By Bridgett Milton-Edited by Jonathan Browne
