Monrovia – A Liberian-owned aviation agency, Liberty Airways, has formally objected to the Liberia Airport Authority’s (LAA) latest bid course of for the rehabilitation and administration of James Spriggs Payne Airport (JSPA) and 4 different home airports, particularly criticizing the bid course of as exclusionary, missing transparency at key levels, and inconsistent with related Liberian legislation and worldwide norms.
A Legacy of Sacrifice and Funding
This firm was based by two Liberian entrepreneurs who left america to return dwelling and spend money on the aviation sector at a time when Liberia was rising from civil battle. One of many founders, a former United Airways pilot, left his U.S. profession in 1997 to function Deputy Managing Director at Roberts Worldwide Airport (RIA), earlier than starting personal investments in Liberian aviation in 2002.
At the moment, JSPA had been lowered to ruins—used as a dumping floor and public latrine, with no flights working. In opposition to this backdrop, the entrepreneurs secured a 25-year lease settlement and regularly rebuilt capability. It took practically a decade for the enterprise to interrupt even as a consequence of Liberia’s fragile post-war economic system.
Over time, partnerships have been established with worldwide operators, together with HeliPortugal, which launched 4 helicopters and pilots. This enabled payroll supply providers for the Authorities of Liberia, medical evacuations for concessionaires like ArcelorMittal, offshore helicopter providers for African Petroleum, and chartered flights for a number of mining operators.
The agency constructed six hangars, 25 workplaces, and two airwings, grossed tens of millions in income, and by 2014, employed greater than 50 Liberians. When the Ebola pandemic struck, the corporate was pressured to downsize drastically, letting go of 40 workers and slicing salaries of these retained, whereas nonetheless servicing money owed and obligations. Not like companies in developed nations that benefited from strong aid packages throughout crises, Liberian aviation firms survived with no authorities bailout.
Once more in 2020, COVID-19 delivered one other crippling blow to world aviation. In Liberia, operators bore the brunt alone, in contrast to their counterparts overseas who obtained important authorities subsidies. To maintain the corporate alive, the founders mortgaged their private properties to entry loans, masking payroll and sustaining operations in a cash-based economic system the place borrowing is collateral-driven and extremely restrictive.
Immediately, the agency maintains 6 full-time workers and 24 contractors, with a number of employees having served since 2002.
Exclusion from the 2025 Bid
Regardless of a longstanding file of resilience, funding, and repair, the aviation agency factors out that the LAA didn’t convene any consultative periods with native stakeholders previous to issuing the August 2025 bid. In line with the agency, customary worldwide observe and related Liberian authorized necessities name for such consultations to make sure tender paperwork replicate present sector realities. The absence of session right here, they declare, undermines the method’ inclusivity and transparency.
As a substitute, the bid was marketed solely in an area newspaper with a 30-day deadline, requiring bidders to have accomplished two PPP tasks throughout the final 10 years and present a median annual turnover of US$1 million. Trade observers observe that these standards seem designed for a particular overseas agency, fairly than open competitors.
“How can Liberia’s aviation pioneers—who invested when the airport was deserted and who’ve weathered civil warfare, Ebola, and COVID-19—be excluded by standards crafted to go well with overseas operators?” requested one aviation analyst.
The agency emphasised that Part 79 of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA), which requires submission of a Concession Procurement Plan for PPCC approval earlier than tenders are issued, seems to not have been adopted.
Broader Financial and Coverage Contradictions
Critics argue the bid contradicts the Liberianization Coverage, which was designed to make sure significant participation of Liberians in strategic sectors. Liberia’s banking and mining industries are already dominated by overseas operators. Aviation stays one of many few sectors the place Liberians nonetheless have an energetic stake.
The controversy additionally clashes with President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda and Govt Order No. 135, which goals to empower Liberian companies and defend native industries. It raises questions on why Liberians from the diaspora—celebrated at government-hosted Diaspora Dialogues and Funding Boards—would return to take a position if their efforts are systematically sidelined.
Name for Transparency and Inclusion
The aviation agency is urging the PPCC and the LAA to:
• Assessment the legality of the present bid course of beneath the PPCA.
• Guarantee significant session with Liberian aviation stakeholders;
• Revise concession phrases to replicate worldwide norms (20–30 years, not 10);
• Assure that Liberian firms with credible overseas technical and monetary companions will not be excluded.
What Is at Stake
“That is larger than aviation,” one governance knowledgeable commented. “It’s about whether or not Liberia really needs its personal folks to win. If each main sector—banking, mining, telecoms, now aviation—stays ceded to foreigners, how can we declare to be constructing a sustainable economic system?”
The aviation agency says it stays dedicated to Liberia’s aviation improvement however insists that any concession course of have to be clear, lawful, and inclusive of Liberians who’ve confirmed their dedication by a long time of sacrifice.
PPCC Response
Responding to inquiry, the PPCC by its Communications Officer, Mr. Nathan Bangu, acknowledged that the LAA had requested from the PPCC to permit them keep it up a “single supply” that means for one individual or entity to be chosen and granted the best to do what it (LAA) needs.
“We, I imply PPCC, advised them to persuade us by documentations why they need to be allowed to hold on the one sourcing. However once we had reviewed their request, we suggested them to do an Worldwide Competitors Bidding (ICB), which we perceive was accomplished.”
He additional clarified that if a bidding course of takes place and a celebration doesn’t really feel fulfill with how the method went on that social gathering has the best to lodge a proper grievance with the PPCC and the procurement company will probably be beneath obligation to look into these particular areas raised by the complainant.
LAA Response
In a letter dated September 22, 2025 from Mr. Emmanuel T. Taplah, Port Supervisor/LAA-JSPA, to Mr. Ronald Mitchell, Chairman Liberty Airways, the JSPA Port Supervisor advised Mitchell that no matter processes that they carried out have been “sanctioned by the PPCC”.
“All actions executed by this Authority have been in keeping with the legal guidelines, laws, and procedures governing public procurement in Liberia.
“Ought to you’ve any concern or points concerning the method, we respectfully advise that such issues be directed to the competent authority with the statutory mandate to deal with and resolve procurement associated issues.”
