The National Port Authority (NPA) has unveiled a strategic plan to combat an unsustainable wage bill and the pressing need for investment in Liberia’s ports. In 2024, the NPA allocated $14.04 million—almost 60% of its total revenue of $24.4 million—toward salaries and benefits for its 1,945 employees. This significant expenditure has hampered the NPA’s ability to save, invest in vital infrastructure, expand operations, generate sustainable jobs, and enhance support for the government of Liberia.
Since 2018, the NPA workforce has surged from 450 personnel to 1,945 by 2024, resulting in a staggering 266% increase in the monthly wage bill—from approximately $300,000 in 2018 to over $1.4 million in 2024—without a corresponding rise in revenue or operational capacity. The most dramatic spike—a 47% increase—occurred during the last six months of the 2023 general elections, while the lowest increase (13%) took place in the preceding 11 months.
During a recent budget hearing at the House of Representatives, NPA Managing Director Hon. Sekou A.M. Dukuly detailed the organization’s plans to tackle these challenges head-on. “We are committed to running financially stable and operationally efficient ports. We have implemented austerity measures, including a 64% reduction in supply costs, a 20% reduction in total operating expenses, and a 45% reduction in administrative expenses. However, these measures alone are insufficient to combat the challenges posed by our substantial wage bill,” he explained.
To secure long-term sustainability, NPA management has devised a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving financial stability and operational efficiency while safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of employees. The Managing Director emphasized, “Our plan protects the rights and well-being of our staff through a fair process while empowering the NPA to save, reinvest in the ports, create more sustainable jobs, and enhance the port’s contribution to Liberia’s economic growth.”
With Liberia importing over 80% of its food and non-food items and relying heavily on the export of raw materials, effective management and modernization of the nation’s seaports are crucial for national development. Unfortunately, Liberia’s ports have seen minimal investment over the past few decades, creating a significant gap in infrastructure.
Recognizing this urgent need, Managing Director Dukulyannounced that his team is actively seeking investments to modernize the ports. Earlier this year, the NPA revealed two major port expansion and investment projects in partnership with China and Morocco, aimed at addressing the long-overdue infrastructure and capacity requirements of the Monrovia and Buchanan ports.
These initiatives are designed to equip the ports for enhanced trade facilitation and support Liberia’s economic transformation. Dukuly stated that starting in 2025, more concrete actions regarding these opportunities will be implemented in collaboration with stakeholders in both the Executive and Legislative branches.
The NPA management acknowledges that addressing the unsustainable wage bill and the urgent investment needs of the ports will necessitate additional consultations to ensure that these challenges are met promptly and equitably. The goal is to reallocate resources strategically toward investments that will position the NPA as a competitive hub driving economic growth and job creation in Liberia.
“We have inherited many of these challenges, but we are committed to resolving them responsibly. Our focus is on building a port system that is financially viable, operationally efficient, and capable of making a significant contribution to Liberia’s development,” the Managing Director concluded.
