By Gareyson Yaba Neufville
The Port of Harper is expected to undergo a major transformation following a high-level visit by the National Port Authority (NPA), in what officials describe as a shift toward practical development and long-term economic growth in southeastern Liberia.
The delegation, led by Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Emmanuel M. Horton Sr., conducted a detailed assessment of the port’s current condition, with strong indications that concrete steps toward modernization are imminent.
During the visit, emphasis was placed on repositioning the Port of Harper as a key driver of trade and economic activity in Maryland County and the wider southeastern corridor. Officials noted that the port holds significant potential to connect Liberia to regional markets along the West African coastline if the necessary investments are made.
Technical teams accompanying the delegation outlined several priority areas expected to shape the port’s transformation. These include the rehabilitation of docking facilities, expansion of storage infrastructure, and the introduction of modern cargo-handling equipment to improve efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround time.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Horton indicated that the NPA is moving beyond routine inspections and is now focused on implementation. “We are now looking at practical transformation that will directly impact trade and livelihoods, ensuring Harper becomes a competitive and functional port,” he said.
The visit is also said to be opening discussions around public-private partnerships, with the NPA exploring opportunities to attract external investment and technical expertise to fast-track development while maintaining sustainability.
Local port authorities and workers have welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the renewed attention will address longstanding operational challenges, including limited capacity and inadequate maintenance.
The initiative forms part of the NPA’s broader decentralization agenda aimed at reducing pressure on major ports, particularly in Monrovia, while promoting balanced economic growth across the country.
Although detailed rollout plans are yet to be made public, the Harper Port project is expected to significantly boost trade, create employment opportunities, and strengthen regional integration once fully implemented.
Also speaking, the Manager of the Port, Mr. Wah Kla Neufville, lauded the heads of NPA for what he termed the level of infrastructure at the Port and the provision of two DZ generators to assist in the absence of the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
“You can’t micromanage the Port of Harper from Monrovia; therefore, we were given the task to make this Port self-sufficient in running its affairs,” Neufville said.
But currently, the Port of Harper’s only source of income is the GVL and MOPP. We have a future to upgrade this Port to a larger one, as compared to the Port of San Pédro in neighboring Ivory Coast—a minute move that will attract investors to the Port.
The development highlighted is key to making the Port a competitive one, thus creating job facilities. I believe some investors are going away because our facilities cannot host their vessels.
