The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has constituted an ad-hoc committee to probe the increase in fees for inspection and clearing of containers at the Free Port of Monrovia.
The decision was reached on Thursday after communication from Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County urged his colleagues to look into the matter.
“Honorable Pro Tempore and distinguish colleagues, in the wake of the reported increase of tariff on containers brought at the Freeport of Monrovia by this new tech company, I am recommending that this Senate investigates the situation to avoid economic embarrassment,” Sen. Snowe stated in a letter to the Pro-Tempore of Senate, Sen. Albert Chie.
In his communication, Senator Snowe informed the August Body that MEDTECH SCIENTIFIC Company LTD operating at the Free Port of Monrovia has rapidly increased charges for Container Inspection at the Free Port of Monrovia.
According to him, MEDTECH SCIENTIFIC Company LTD has increased the charges from US$190.00 and US$280.00 to US$280.00 and US$400 for 20ft and 40ft Containers, respectively.
Additionally, Senator Snowe stated in his communication that there are complaints from business people women who are facing the harsh constraints of importing goods in containers from aboard.
What’s Medtech Scientific Company Ltd.
Medtech Scientific Company Ltd. was designated by the Liberian government through the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to conduct Destination Inspection (DI) at the ports.
This contract, according to the government, was necessitated by the requirements of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA).
The government then abolished Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) beginning August 1 and introduced the Destination Inspection conducted by Medtech Scientific Company Ltd.
Also, with the new procedure, all goods intended to be shipped to Liberia will be inspected only once in Liberia by MTS, Customs and any other interested parties with a defined statutory role linked to inspection.
The government also indicated that beginning August 1, 2021, a flat fee structure as per attached Schedule of Fees for DI services shall be introduced and paid to MTS at the designated account with ECOBank (Liberia) Ltd.
Who’s on the Senate Com’tee?
During Thursday Session, the President Pro-Tempore named Bomi County Senator Edwin M. Snowe as Chairman, Senators Henrique Tokpah of Bong County, Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu County, Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie of River Gee County and Emmanuel Nuquay of Margibi County as members of the committee to probe the exponential increment in the service fee for import and export of containers.
Based on a motion proffered by Senator Jonathan Boycharles SogbIe of River Gee County, the committee is expected to report its findings within two weeks.
Fear of shortage of Rice, Essential Commodities
Recently, some local businesses in Liberia expressed concern over the possible shortage of rice and other essential commodities due to increment in several fees and cost of services at the Freeport of Monrovia.
According to the local businesses, despite the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business community, there continues to be increment in services at the port which is further putting the business community in a tight corner and strangulating them.
