The Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), Jero H. Mends-Cole, has appreciated President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for facilitating and approving the recent visit of the Turkish technical team to assess the Roberts International Airport (RIA).
In a statement released on Monday, June 16, Mends-Cole acknowledged Pres. Boakai’s pivotal role in clearing the way for the assessment of the RIA, which, Mr. Mends-Cole said, has laid the groundwork for significant improvements to the country’s airport infrastructure and operations.
The Turkish technical delegation, according to the statement, comprised of six esteemed experts in airport development.
They arrived in the country on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and visited the RIA to evaluate the potential for needed upgrades that will enhance operational capacity and activities.
“The President’s visionary leadership and commitment to enhancing our nation’s aviation infrastructure had made it possible for RIA, the flagship airport managed by the LAA to be assessed through global eyes; a move which we believe will generate some great dividends for our country, and help in realizing the President’s dream of making the airport an airbridge to the rest of the world,” Mends-Cole said.
During the assessment, the team examined key areas, including the airport terminals, the runway, the apron/ramp, rescue and fire-fighting department, air traffic control tower, electrical power house, security systems, monitoring and luggage systems.
In response to the President’s recent decision of recognizing the country airport authority as one of the high-performing government institutions, the LAA MD sees the recognition as an accomplishment for all workers and partners of the country airport authority.
“As we strive to collectively achieve our performance targets in 2025 under the Performance Management and Compliance System (PMCS), in serving the Liberian people, we see the recognition of the President as an accomplishment for the workforce and partners of LAA,” Mr. Mends-Cole added.