In a prompt response to Liberia’s aviation safety challenges, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard N. Koon, conducted an urgent inspection of Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Wednesday, October 9, 2025.
Koon’s visit followed an official invitation from the LCAA’s Director General Julius D. Dennis, Jr., who had earlier briefed the Speaker on the critical safety risks imperiling country’s main air gateway.
Speaker Koon described the inspection as a “vital step to witness firsthand, the issues Mr. Dennis outlined,” particularly the malfunctioning navigation systems crucial to aviation safety.
“There are safety gadgets, especially the navigation systems, that are not working properly; Liberia failed an international aviation audit in 2022, and we cannot continue down this path. We must fly safe,” the Speaker said.
Director General Dennis provided a candid assessment of country’s poor showing in the 2022 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit.
“Liberia failed miserably in that audit,” Dennis admitted, highlighting two major problems: Navigation Aids (NavAids), and flight procedural designs.
“Our immediate priority is to resolve these issues to elevate our aviation sector to meet global standards.”
Dennis expressed hope that Speaker Koon’s visit signals renewed government commitment to aviation reform, pointing out that adequate funding is vital. “We must replace outdated equipment, improve fire and rescue services, and modernize weather systems to ensure safety,” he said.
LCAA Board Chair, Massaquoi M. Kamara, Sr., who joined the discussion, welcomed the Speaker direct engagement, underscoring the severe resource gaps compromising airport safety.
Kamara reported: “We currently have only two functional fire trucks, but need at least four, each costing around a million United States Dollars. The Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Directional Range (DVOR) navigation system alone requires about US$5.4 million. This equipment is essential as it helps aircraft determine their position and course.”
Koon assured aviation stakeholders of the Legislature determination to prioritize these safety concerns in the 2026 national budget.
“Operating below international standard is unacceptable. Our navigation and safety systems must work perfectly to guarantee safe flights in Liberia. Air safety is not a privilege; it is a necessity,” he said.
This inspection is part of Speaker Koon’s wider initiative to evaluate critical state institutions, ensuring essential services meet international standards and effectively serve the Liberian people.