By By: Staff Writer
Paynesville, Liberia – The Association of Liberian Construction Contractors (ALCC) convened its General Assembly on Monday, filling a leadership gap created by the death of its president late this year and setting a new direction for one of the country’s most influential professional bodies.
The day-long gathering brought together contractors, engineers, technicians, and industry stakeholders from across Liberia, marking a pivotal reset for the organization at a time of heightened national debate over local content, infrastructure governance, and the dominance of foreign construction firms.
In a transition aligned with the ALCC constitution, Mrs. Kimberly K. Toure, previously the vice president, was inducted as the new president, replacing the late Mr. Sackie Johnson. The Assembly also held elections that elevated former Secretary General James D. Smith to the vice presidency, while Mrs. Rema Fawaz was elected as the new secretary general.
New President Sets Tone: “Liberia Cannot Develop Without Liberian Contractors”
In her first formal address as president, Mrs. Toure struck a firm but conciliatory tone, acknowledging the trust reposed in her while outlining a leadership posture centered on transparency, respect, and industry-wide engagement.
She emphasized that the ALCC must assert itself more vigorously in national development and local content negotiations, stressing that Liberian contractors cannot continue to operate on the margins of a sector they have helped build for decades.
“Liberia cannot develop without Liberian contractors,” she said. “No nation has ever been built by relying primarily on outside expertise. Our responsibility now is to strengthen ourselves, support one another, and prove to the country that we are exceptional.”
Her speech also highlighted several internal priorities, including implementing bidding-related capacity building, expanding regional ALCC representation through county coordinators, and restructuring the organization’s administrative systems to increase efficiency and visibility.
The president further stretched out a hand to “disenchanted members,” urging them to reengage as the organization attempts to rebuild unity after months of leadership uncertainty.
Draft Constitution and Industry Realities Take Center Stage
Beyond elections, the Assembly spent significant time reviewing factors within the organization’s draft constitution, which aims to strengthen ALCC’s internal governance and align its strategic direction with the evolving realities of the construction sector.
Contractors in attendance raised recurring challenges, including delayed payments for completed projects, an uneven playing field with large foreign companies, and difficulties accessing financial support needed to execute major works.
Mrs. Toure acknowledged the concerns, reiterating that the leadership will prioritize policy advocacy, professional development, and stronger partnerships with both government and private sector institutions.
Guest Speaker Calls for Structural Reset in Sector Governance
Guest speaker Victor Smith, a long-standing voice in the engineering community, delivered a fiery address urging contractors to reclaim greater control of Liberia’s infrastructure sector.
Speaking frankly about what he described as “self-alienation” within the profession, Smith argued that fragmentation and lack of genuine collaboration have left Liberian firms vulnerable in their own country.
He criticized past governance patterns that sidelined engineers and contractors from leadership positions in agencies that directly shape infrastructure development, insisting that the sector must push for more technically grounded decision-making.
Smith urged the ALCC to “run as a business” and prioritize competence, transparency, and unity if Liberian contractors are to benefit meaningfully from national development programs.
Closing Call: Professionalism, Excellence, and National Duty
In her closing remarks, President Toure returned to a message of national responsibility, reminding members that behind every road, school, and public structure are Liberian contractors whose work makes development possible.
“Our work is not just about concrete and steel—it is about national progress,” she said. “Every block you lay and every road you pave is a legacy. Let us build with integrity, with excellence, and with pride.”
She reaffirmed her leadership’s commitment to advocating for contractor-friendly policies, improving training, encouraging strategic partnerships, and elevating the standards of the industry.
As the Assembly concluded, members appeared aligned around a shared acknowledgment: the future of Liberia’s infrastructure depends heavily on the organization’s ability to unify, reform, and assert itself in an increasingly competitive construction environment.
