‘Robbery’

-Acting NPA Boss Terms APM Terminals’ Action

By Jackson C. Clay, Jr.

The Acting Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), Madam Cecelia Cuffy Brown has termed as complete ‘robbery’ the action by APM Terminals to operate the Marine Services at the Freeport of Monrovia for two expired years’ of the concession agreement without giving the government it needed revenues.

NPA Acting Boss, Cecelia Cuffy Browne

The Marine Services operation is a major source of revenue generation for the National Port Authority (NPA) and has since been managed by the APM Terminals for the last seven years.

APM Terminals has operated the marine services for seven years beyond the five years in the agreement and has generated over US$38 million while the Liberian government through the port has only received US$28,000 out of this amount in royalty.

Madam Brown made the disclosure recently following a meeting held with the Port Management team and the APM Terminals visiting CEO to Liberia held at the NPA head office on Bushrod Island outside Monrovia.

“US$7 million being generated annually by APM Terminals through marine operations, with the port benefiting only US$4,000 robs the Port of the needed revenue and further undermines government’s agenda to impact the lives of the poor,” Madam Brown stressed.

The NPA acting boss reemphasized management’s position about reclaiming the marine services during the meeting and informed the APM Terminals Chief Executive Officer that the port is resolved on the matter.

Super post Panamax cranes work the Emma Maersk at APM Terminals Algeciras Spain

As part of the demand to reclaim the marine operations, the NPA Management has requested APM Terminals to remit the money they accrued in those two years into the Liberian government’s account.

The NPA Management has requested APM Terminals to remit the money they accrued in those two years into the Liberian Government’s account.

The NPA through a formal communication has also requested APM Terminals to remit all funds accrued from marine operations to its coffers as of April 2018 until final turnover of the marine operations.

However, David Skov, Chief Executive Officer and Regional Director of APM Terminals has agreed to send a team   of “experts” to finalize plans for the official turning over of the Marine Services back to the NPA.

Skov, along with his Commercial Manager Noah Sherriff and George Adyei, Managing Director have said APM Terminals is prepared to comply with the terms of the concession and work with the Port Management.

Meanwhile, Madam Cuffy Brown has indicated that the NPA has officially communicated said decision to the Ministry of Justice and other relevant government ministries and agencies.