By Jaheim T. Tumu |
Margibi County — Heavy rainfall on Thursday, October 3, 2024, precipitated leaks in the newly modernized terminal of Roberts International Airport (RIA), sparking concerns about the usual of the capability.
Video footage circulating on social media displays water dripping from a pair of sections of the terminal’s ceiling and flooding parts of the inside of in the direction of the downpour. Water used to be also considered coming into during the entrances, raising security and operational concerns among vacationers and Liberians alike, as RIA is the country’s indispensable international gateway.
The modernized terminal used to be initially pre-dedicated in 2017 by worn President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and officially dedicated in 2019 by worn President George Weah. The upgrades were section of a higher effort to modernize the airport and strengthen passenger companies and products, funded by international financial institutions equivalent to the European Funding Financial institution, the Saudi Fund for Vogue, and China Export-Import (EXIM) Financial institution.
These improvements aimed to enhance Liberia’s international connectivity and deal with longstanding considerations, including outdated infrastructure. Alternatively, the present leaks have raised questions about the usual of construction or doable lapses in repairs, especially given Liberia’s long rainy season and important annual rainfall.
Public disclose of affairs is rising that the leaks may per chance per chance pose security hazards or afflict important programs inside of the terminal. The footage has precipitated widespread criticism, with many traumatic accountability and pressing repairs to stay future incidents.
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Travelers have expressed frustration, highlighting that RIA, as Liberia’s indispensable airport, ought to fulfill higher infrastructure requirements attributable to its importance in nationwide pattern and international connectivity.
In a video purchased by FrontPage Africa, a girl used to be overheard expressing her disappointment: “We said we wanted a modern terminal, and now we have one.” She attributed the uncomfortable construction work to the Chinese contractors fascinated with the mission.
Airport authorities haven’t yet issued an official commentary on the leaks, nonetheless they are anticipated to face mounting stress to handle the root causes and take corrective actions to stay extra disruptions.
The incident also underscores broader challenges in Liberia’s infrastructure sector, the put considerations with repairs and quality retain watch over persist despite investments in improvements.
