By by: Alphanso G. Kalama
RIA, Margibi County – and frustration took over Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Sunday evening when a complete power outage shut down operations, leaving passengers and staff in the dark—literally and figuratively. While the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) initially blamed the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for the failure, LEC has now hit back, revealing that the real cause of the blackout was a fuel shortage affecting the airport’s backup generators.
The outage struck around 5:00 PM, throwing the airport into disarray. Flights were delayed, essential services were interrupted, and passengers were left in uncomfortable conditions as the terminal went dark. The incident has once again exposed the airport’s poor infrastructure and lack of preparedness for emergencies.
In a statement issued by LEC, the corporation clarified that their power grid was not responsible for the outage, contradicting LAA’s claims. Instead, LEC technicians determined that RIA’s own generators, commissioned in June 2024 under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, ran out of fuel. This failure not only caused the blackout but also reportedly damaged parts of the power grid.
This revelation has raised even more questions about mismanagement at RIA. If the airport had functional backup generators, why were they left without fuel? Who is responsible for ensuring the airport is prepared for such incidents? The finger-pointing between LAA and LEC only highlights the lack of accountability and planning in handling critical infrastructure.
What makes this Blackout at Liberia’s Main Airport Conflicting Statements Add to the Chaos even more frustrating is the hypocrisy of many current officials. Before coming to power, they loudly criticized the previous administration for carelessness and poor management at the airport. They called for reforms and vowed to fix these failures. Now, in power, they seem to have forgotten their promises, as the same embarrassing issues persist under their watch. Where are the improvements they once demanded? Where is the leadership they claimed was missing?
Many are now calling for accountability from the LAA and the government as a whole, demanding proper investment in infrastructure to prevent future disasters like this. Travelers expect an international airport to function without frequent breakdowns, and until RIA can guarantee that, its reputation will remain in question.
