Monrovia, Liberia, January 23, 2010 – With the massive publicity over the Freeport of Monrovia bidding process, many are awaiting the result from the committee reviewing proposals presented by two companies. Many persons who have been following the bidding process for the Freeport of Monrovia said the move by the Liberian government under President Sirleaf will immensely contribute to the nation's recovery program. However, they hope that there will be due diligence to avoid confusion as had been with similar process. They said it is an unarguable fact that the Freeport, considered as the “gateway to the nation's economy,' if it is to be brought to modern standard, would generate much needed revenue for the smooth running of the port and also to contribute to national income. They said the way and manner in which the process is taking place, clearly indicates that the best will be selected in the interest of the country.

A source at the Dock Workers Union said the union heard about the bidding process about the Freeport, but is still awaiting the result of the review process. The Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC) Dr. Richard Tolbert who was contacted on the issue last night, emphatically said the result will be out 'next week.' He, however, declined any further comment on the matter. The move b y the Liberian government to privatize the port comes in the wake of mounting concerns about poor services of some aspects of the port owing to poor equipment and other operational items. Since the bid was declared opened, two companies have so far expressed interest in the process. They are the Bollore, a leading company in port management and operation and APM Terminals, port operation company based in the Hague. The Bollore Group which is a leading investor and port operator on the African Continent has offered so far the highest bid of US$210.The amount will be used for quay construction, structures for terminals and others for the smooth running of the Freeport, which are necessary if the port is to be modernized and provide efficient and effective services.

The group presently through one of its partners, SETV operates the port of Abidjan following the signing of a concession in October 2004. The group now has new branches in Namibia, Djibouti, Mauritania, Maputo and Ethiopia. According to information, since the contract was signed in October 2004, the port of Abidjan has been transformed and revenue has increased. Documents released by the SETV and the authority of Abidjan Port, the concession awarded in a very challenging local environment in 2004, are today considered as “the reference in West Coast of Africa,” and that income has “significantly increased.” Statistics of the operation in 2008 show a turnover of 75 Euros, with 309 permanent employees as well as intensive training program with a yearly budget above 500,00 Euros. The group has its presence in 41 countries, with more than 200 agencies and 16,650 permanent staff. Financially, sources said it earns 1.600 Euros annual income and more than 200 million Euros investment; five million square mile of warehouse space. 

In a related development, it has been reported that Bollore Africa Logistics may sign an agreement to manage the port of Berbera and oversee US$700 million of upgrades to the facility in Somalia's breakaway northern Somalia region. According to information, the Foreign Minister of that country, Abdillahi Duale said discussions are already in an advanced stage. Duale said last week in an interview in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa that they have already had a basic agreement. Representatives of Bollore, an investment company controlled by French billionaire Vincent Bollore, have met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Somaliland President Dahir Riyale to discuss the agreement which will probably be signed next year. He said. Berbera Port handles food aid and other cargo bound for landlocked Ethiopia.

Source: The Inquirer Online, January 22, 2010

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