Liberia: NPA’s Dredging Deal – Public Taboo

According to informerliberia.net, the Management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has refused to share the ongoing dredging contract with the public.

After eight months of negotiations on February 28, 2012, the NPA entered into a US$21M dredging with a Dutch Company, Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors for the dredging of the Freeport of Monrovia and the Port of Greenville in Sinoe County.

Madam Matilda W. Parker, the Managing Director of the NPA, stated: “Van Oord will survey the ports and make recommendation to the NPA.”

Van Oord concluded the dredging of the Port of Greenville and is currently dredging the Freeport of Monrovia. Interestingly, the NPA and dredging company is yet too disclosed as to whether the company removes the wrecks that were discovered in the main basin of the Port of Greenville.

The Executive Director of the Liberia Media Center disclosed that the LMC has requested a copy of the USD21M dredging contract from the management of the NPA, but is yet to receive the contract.

This paper also requested copy of the contract, but was also denied on grounds that the contract prohibits the NPA from sharing the contract with the media and the public, reports informerliberia.net.

Mr. Jeffery George, the Deputy Managing Director of the NPA, said: “The NPA is not allowed to share the information with the media.”

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, June 1, 2012; Image: APM Terminals