Liberia: President Boakai Signs Port Decentralization Bill in Middle of Biggest Drug Crisis

Liberia, Aug. 14 -- A year ago, the Liberian president said breaking up Liberia's ports would risk the country's maritime security. This week, with a mystery vessel case still unresolved and a cocaine scandal reaching his own drug chief, he signed the bill anyway - and left the question of who's watching the new ports unanswered.

By Rodney D. Sieh, [e-mail]

Monrovia - President Joseph Boakai has signed into law the legislation dismantling the National Port Authority's decades-long monopoly, ending centralized control of Liberia's ports and handing operational power to autonomous boards in Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville and Harper under a newly created Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority...