ANTWERP, Belgium – Liberia’s Maritime Commissioner, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., has rallied Liberians at house and overseas to grab the rising alternatives inside the nation’s maritime sector, which he described as a robust driver of commerce, commerce, and nationwide growth.
Talking through the European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) Annual Common Meeting and Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration in Antwerp, Belgium, Commissioner Lighe emphasised the pressing want for Liberian traders to take the lead in shaping the maritime financial system.
“To place it bluntly, the Liberia Maritime Sector wants Liberian traders!” he declared. “We’d like a wholesome funding local weather that can see Liberians play a dominant function. The alternatives are in abundance, and as a authorities and sector chief, we’re dedicated to offering a easy path and straightforward processing for Liberian traders.”
Commissioner Lighe highlighted the vital function the maritime sector performs in Liberia’s financial growth, noting that it has lengthy served as an important supply of nationwide income, expertise growth, and world engagement.
“Proceeds from our maritime program have contributed considerably to our nationwide price range and supported schooling and expertise growth in marine engineering, nautical science, transport logistics, and extra,” he mentioned.
Lighe, known as on Liberians to discover numerous funding areas, together with trucking, warehousing, human useful resource growth, cargo dealing with, ship provide, bunkering companies, dry docking, and quick sea transport between main Liberian ports like Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper.
“The maritime sector gives a taking part in subject for investments throughout all scales,” Lighe added. “What separates most of us in Liberia from you within the diaspora is the ocean, one thing very expensive to us. However it’s also your gateway to speculate and contribute to Liberia’s development.”
Lighe recounted Liberia’s temporary however impactful expertise with offshore oil exploration, lamenting the missed financial alternatives as a result of a scarcity of native capability.
“When multinational oil corporations like Chevron and African Petroleum started operations offshore, Liberia lacked the educated workforce and native firms to fulfill the demand for companies; even marine waste was exported to Ghana for processing,” he mentioned. “We can not afford to overlook out once more.”
He additionally inspired investments in ship chandelling, marine eco-tourism, marine insurance coverage, and port reception companies, all of which, he mentioned, would create jobs and stimulate financial exercise.
Highlighting safety and worldwide recognition, Lighe underscored Liberia’s robust presence on the Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) in London and the function of the Liberia Maritime Authority in defending the nation’s coastal and marine environments in opposition to threats corresponding to piracy, smuggling, and unlawful fishing.
He praised the launch of Liberia’s first post-war state-of-the-art maritime coaching institute in Marshall, Margibi County, and ongoing partnerships with world establishments such because the World Maritime College in Sweden and the Worldwide Maritime Regulation Institute in Malta.
“We now have developed a 5-12 months Strategic Plan to information our packages, and we’re centered on goal-driven, financially guided initiatives that can deliver sustainable affect,” Commissioner/CEO Lighe famous.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication below President Joseph Boakai to help Liberian entrepreneurs and traders. “The federal government has its arms huge open. Liberia wants companies that create respectable jobs and contribute to a greater high quality of life for our individuals.”
Commissioner Lighe’s message to the diaspora was clear: the time to put money into Liberia’s maritime future is now.
