Monrovia – The Government of Liberia has signed a US$50 Million loan pact with the Chinese Exim Bank for the construction of the terminal building at the Roberts International Airport (RIA).
Report by Al-Varney Rogers [email protected]
The signing of the loan agreement comes after mounting criticism by the public of the Sirleaf administration’s inability to revitalize the RIA over the past 10 years.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf averred that signing of the loan agreement to begin the construction of the Airport was “finally” a relief to the people of Liberia.
“I think this a great thing for our people. Finally, [RIA will be renovated],” “When they (Liberians) come in they say ‘When will our airport develop?’” President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said.
Recounting the partnership between Liberia and China, President Sirleaf said that Liberia has experienced several developments via the Liberian-Chinese relations in the last decade.
“Ten years of friendship, 10 years of developments. In these 10 years so many things have happened, so many developments,” Sirleaf added.
Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Zhang Yue said the Government of Liberia securing the loan for the RIA terminal’s construction was made possible after the Liberian leader’s visit last year to China.
“This is an immediate follow up project after Madam President Visit last year. This project is an important one. Airline is a very important part of a country,” Ambassador Zhang said.
The Chinese Ambassador Continued: “During the Ebola, we knew how important the free flow of people is important.
Based on the request of Madam Sirleaf the Chinese government didn’t hesitate, this a US$50 million project.”
The speed at which the agreement was finalize in words of the Chinese ambassador it is a “Miracle” adding that owing to the bureaucracy in both countries it is expected that the process who to take a longer time.
Ambassador Zhang added the project opened a new channel for relationship between Exim Bank and the Government of Liberia.
“This is not the end of the course, we are hoping more Chinese-Liberian economic cooperation to benefit the people of Liberia,” Zhang added.
Minister of Finance Development Planning Boimah Kamara said construction of the terminal was a tangible change to the people of Liberia.
Kamara said the airport was important for growth in Liberia, adding that it increases the capacity for more flights.
“The Airport terminal is important for growth. This work will enhance our economic growth. The coming in of this airport will increase the traffic and capacity for more flights,” Kamara added.
Attempts to construct airport has not been free of corruption. In 2014 corruption saga involving Ellen Corkrum including the board chair of the LAA, Musa Bility, the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), Diaspora Consultants, First International Bank Liberia Limited, Corkrum’s boyfriend Melvin Johnson.
The signing of the loan pact between Liberia and the Chinese bank is not the first attempt made by the government of Liberia to secure loan.
Former Minister of Finance and Development Planning Amara Konneh signed a US$20 million loan agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to assist with the rehabilitation of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) runway.
The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the annual IMF-World Bank Spring Meeting held in Washington DC.
The French carrier, Air France, in 2014 ended its flying route to Liberia after poor and dilapidated runaway conditions at the RIA inflicted serious damage on the airline’s AF752 jet, forcing the plane into rugged landing leading to almost half a million dollars in damage. The forced landing ruined the plane’s bottom right, main landing gear, hydraulic holes, brakes, and right main landing gear axle assembly.
The airport suffered severe damage during the civil war in 1990. The runway was bombed and the main terminal building burned down. Both the runway and the terminal building became inoperable and the airport was shut down.
Commercial operations at the airport started again in 1997 by converting a cargo building to a terminal.
Roberts International Airport (RIA) is the country’s principal international airport and hosts international carriers on a 11, 000-foot (3, 353m) runway and other facilities.
The airport is also used by United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) both for maintenance operations, landing and take-off. LAA has also expressed possibility of increased passenger numbers and carriers as investments in the country soar, especially with discovery of oil in the country.