By Archie Boan
Prominent political commentator Henry Pedro Costa has descended on Senator Darius Dillon and Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, accusing them of colluding to sell Buchanan Seaport to what he termed as ‘a corrupt French company’.
Speaking in a detailed broadcast, Costa claimed that Dillon is colluding with Karnga-Lawrence to benefit a “corrupt French company,” warning that such actions would repeat the mistakes of past controversial port concession deals.
“I have to call my brother Darius Dillon here. Dillon, you know the role we played to make you senator,” Costa said. “Your first and second senate races everybody knows how you got elected because of the work we did. I love Dillon and I love Nyonblee, but I am deeply disappointed in them.”
Costa recounted his own efforts in supporting Dillon’s political rise, including nominating him as spokesperson during the June 7th protest and raising funds for his election campaigns.
“The history of your elections cannot be written without Henry Costa’s name being prominently mentioned. Your performance in the senate, to a large extent, has impressed me. But on this particular matter, you are allowing history to repeat itself,” he warned.
According to Costa, the planned reforms by Karnga-Lawrence, including the proposed creation of a new port agency, are a veiled attempt to fragment the National Port Authority (NPA) and divert significant revenues. He compared the move to the controversial APM Terminals deal at the Freeport of Monrovia, which he said brought financial gains to foreign operators but little transformation to Liberia’s port infrastructure.
Costa emphasized the importance of the National Port Authority’s ongoing strategic plans under President Boakai’s vision, highlighting that the ports are being restructured to allow autonomy, proper budgeting, and sustainable growth.
“The president’s vision for the port system is being implemented by the NPA. The ports across this country will, for the first time, be granted a degree of autonomy and financial independence,” he said.
The commentator called on Dillon and Karnga-Lawrence to reconsider the proposed legislation, warning that a repeat of past concession mistakes could undermine Liberia’s economic sovereignty.
