Buchanan, Liberia — Former Grand Bassa County Superintendent Julia Duncan Cassell has raised concerns over reported negotiations between the Government of Liberia and Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for the operation of the Port of Buchanan, warning that the outcome of the deal could directly affect the cost of living for ordinary Liberians.
In a public commentary released this week, Cassell said port agreements are often viewed as distant, technical matters, but in reality play a central role in determining prices of everyday goods across the country.
“The port is where the price of living in Liberia begins,” Cassell said, noting that higher port fees are eventually passed on to consumers through increased prices for rice, cement, medicines, fuel-related supplies, and building materials.
AGL is a major logistics company operating across Africa and is widely recognized as the successor to Bolloré Africa Logistics following a change in ownership and rebranding. Cassell emphasized that while Liberia needs port modernization and foreign investment, the structure and terms of any long-term concession are critical.
She cautioned that poorly designed port contracts can lock countries into arrangements that appear beneficial in the short term but become costly over decades.
Concerns Over Monopoly and Fees
One of Cassell’s main concerns is the risk of monopoly control. She warned that contracts granting a single operator extensive control over unloading, storage, gate access, and related services can eliminate competition and leave the country vulnerable to unchecked fee increases.
“When one company controls everything, there is no alternative,” she said, adding that the key issue is who controls port tariffs and whether Liberia has a strong regulator with authority to approve or reject fee increases.
Modernization Promises and Oversight
Cassell also warned against accepting general promises of modernization without enforceable deadlines and penalties. She said port operators routinely pledge new equipment and faster services, but without clear performance benchmarks, improvements may be delayed indefinitely.
Another major risk she identified is weak financial oversight. According to Cassell, ports generate substantial revenue, and without strong audit rights, governments can lose income through unclear accounting, excessive deductions, or underreported volumes.
“If Liberia cannot see the numbers, it cannot protect the people’s interest,” she said.
Transparency and Political Risk
Beyond technical issues, Cassell highlighted the political risks surrounding large infrastructure deals. She said contracts negotiated without transparency or competition can become politically controversial, leading to court challenges, legislative disputes, and investor uncertainty.
She stressed that Buchanan Port is strategically important to Liberia’s long-term development, particularly for mining, exports, and easing congestion at the Freeport of Monrovia.
“Buchanan is too strategic to gamble with,” she said, warning that excessive concessions could limit the port’s future role as a national economic engine.
Cassell urged the government to adopt several “non-negotiable protections” if talks with AGL proceed. These include publishing basic deal terms, establishing clear fee caps and tariff rules, enforcing performance deadlines, guaranteeing strong audit rights, disclosing intermediaries, ensuring local employment and training commitments, and providing independent oversight of the transaction.
While reaffirming her support for modernizing the Port of Buchanan, Cassell said Liberia must ensure any agreement benefits the public and does not drive up the cost of living.
“A port deal is not just a business deal,” she said. “It is a cost-of-living deal, an affordability deal, and a sovereignty deal.”
She concluded by urging the government to slow negotiations if necessary until clear answers are provided on fee control, enforcement mechanisms, transparency, and public benefit.
