By David Mansaray – Reporting from Freetown, Sierra Leone
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has reportedly expressed outrage following a power outage at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on March 30th, prompting him to order an urgent and thorough investigation. The blackout, which disrupted airport operations and potentially endangered travelers, has raised serious concerns about the reliability of the airport’s infrastructure and its impact on national security and the economy.
According to sources close to the Executive Mansion, President Boakai was “very angry” upon learning of the incident and its subsequent news coverage. He has established a high-level investigative committee, led by National Security Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods, to determine the cause of the outage and implement long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions. The committee is already engaging with the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident.
“That situation had serious security and economic implications,” an Executive Mansion source told the members of the media. “It has the potential to drive investors who are in the country away and make others who want to come in to invest reluctant to do so.”
The power outage was reportedly triggered by a shock that affected the transmitter line and damaged the automatic switch. The committee is expected to provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, with President Boakai reportedly considering “punitive measures” if the investigation uncovers negligence or dereliction of duty.
“The fact that the President has chosen his National Security Advisor to lead this process means it is very serious, and heads will roll out of this investigation,” another source revealed. “People who are given tasks to perform must be on top of their game, especially at sensitive areas like the airport, seaports and other areas. These are our gateways and from these places the country’s reputation can be damaged forever.”
The committee has already met with the management of the LAA and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). Earlier in the week, officials from both organizations appeared before a Senate Joint Committee on Hydrocarbons, Energy, and Environment, attributing the outage to a “bird strike” that damaged an isolator connected to a transformer.
Meanwhile, the LAA has issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident and apologizing for the inconvenience caused to passengers, staff, and other stakeholders.
“We deeply regret the disruption this caused and fully understand the concerns that have been raised regarding the reliability of the airport’s power systems,” the LAA statement read.
The LAA emphasized its commitment to improving the airport’s power infrastructure and is collaborating closely with the investigation committee to identify and implement long-term solutions to prevent future power outages and ensure smooth operations moving forward. They have also assured the public that “decisive steps” are being taken to strengthen the resilience of the airport’s electrical systems.
The outcome of the investigation and subsequent actions taken by the Boakai administration will be closely watched by the public and the international community, as they will likely have significant implications for Liberia’s investment climate and its reputation for security and reliability.
