Monrovia, Liberia – The CEO and Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Eugene Lenn Nagbe, has resigned, but his contract is still in effect for two years. Nagbe is now firmly entrenched as a go-getter in the annals of maritime history after attaining remarkable victories. Nagbe was nominated in 2020 to spearhead President George Manneh Weah’s effort to return Liberia’s marine program back to its pre-war level.
Among these are the completion of LiMA’s headquarters and the launch of LiMA Regional Offices to service the ports of Harper and Greenville in Sinoe and Maryland Counties. Other objectives include ensuring that Liberia is elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council’s Category A in 2023, surpassing Panama to become the largest ship registry for the first time in thirty years, increasing the number of international vessels registered by ten in 2020, and continuing to provide the Government of Liberia with revenue quotas in spite of COVID-19. These accomplishments have reinforced Liberia’s flag state, port state, and ISPS regimes.
During his three years in office, Commissioner Nagbe significantly increased Liberia’s competitiveness in the maritime industry. A number of young people received scholarships as part of program to study for specialized careers in marine engineering, nautical science, and marine electrical and electronics at the World Maritime University in Sweden and the Regional Maritime University in Ghana.
During his tenure, Liberia was selected to chair the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee. The shipping registration recorded the highest rise in ten years in terms of both the number of vessels and gross registered tonnage, with historical increases of 10.7% and 12.6%, respectively. To speed up turnaround times at the Freeport of Monrovia, Liberia put the FAL Convention into action, re-joined the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authority (IALA), and got ready for the IMO Member States Audit scheme. This is what needs to be done to make sure that Liberia is following important IMO rules.
The LiMA boss is resigning after leading President Weah’s campaign for a second term and achieving the historic return of Liberia to the top tier of the IMO Council in Category A. This sets up the country’s marine program for consistent, long-term expansion. Given his engagement in the re-election campaign, Mr. Nagbe has suggested to close acquaintances that it would be morally obligatory for him to leave as a member of President Weah’s leaving staff rather than being associated with individuals whose political beliefs he does not share.
Close associates of Mr. Nagbe have made suggestions that he intends to create a potent opposition group under the Coalition Democratic Change (CDC). On this day, January 18, 2024, he formally submitted his resignation to President Weah, stating his desire to step down.
