President Boakai Discovers Huge Mismanagement at RIA, Vows to Set the System under His Administration

Margibi County: President Joseph Nyumah on April 19, 2024 toured the only International Airport in Margibi County, outside Monrovia and was presented several challenges by the airport authority through a brief meeting that lasted for about 40 minutes.

H.E President Boakai, including a few of his cabinet members: Information minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Charles A. Snetter, Ambassador At-Large, Ministry of State, and a few other ministers visited and toured the airport to know the current status of the country only dependable airport.

During the visit, president Boakai had a brief meeting with the airport authority aimed at knowing where the lapses are and how they can be fixed.

A Meeting that lasted for about 40 minutes brought out some hidden glitches ranging from lack of stable electricity, security, staff improvement, and also putting the right people in place to do the right job for the improvement of the Roberts international airport.

After the fruitful discussion, the president including Robert's international airport managing director Jero Mends-Cole and the entire management team toured various places within the airport's new terminal and carefully president Boakai observed the facility.

It was observed that while touring the entire RIA, President Boakai was spotted with his face seeming not to be okay and blaming previous authorities for miss managing the area. During a prompt interview, the Liberian leader said he will make sure the right things are done and the right people are put in the right place going forward.

The 79 years old president said the resources that have been spent on the airport have been mismanaged and misused hindering the nation from meeting international standards vowing  to ensure that  the airport meets and serves international standards during his six years as president of the country.

“ Well we are here to put things in order, for the past years we understand that the airport has been misused and all of the resources have been mismanaged, but we have come to uplift RIA to meet international standards and put the right people in the right place”. He lamented in a more robust tone.     

Robert international Airport (RIA) also is situated in Margibi County, near the town of harbel,outside the nation’s capital. The airport was built in the 1970s and its asphalt runway is 3,353m- long. The airport previously served more than 228,000 domestic and international passengers and is currently serving 450, 000 showing a huge decrease in customer service.

Robert's international airport is Liberia's busiest and most important aviation facility; currently hosting the country's only scheduled commercial airline services, with direct connections to several major cities in West Africa as well as flights to Europe.