Liberia: President Boakai Orders Probed Into Blackout At International Airport

**Monrovia** — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has ordered an investigation into the recent power outage at Roberts International Airport (RIA). He wants immediate fixes and long-term solutions to prevent future blackouts.

This decision follows a serious incident on March 25. A bird strike damaged the airport's transformer, causing a sudden power failure. This briefly disrupted terminal operations and upset the public. While the runway and VIP lounge were unaffected, concerns about infrastructure reliability arose.

To address this, President Boakai formed a high-level committee led by National Security Advisor Cllr. Kofi Woods. The committee's task is to find out what went wrong and hold those responsible accountable. They will also create a plan for reliable power supply at the airport.

As of April 3, the committee was meeting with Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) management. They aim to understand the technical and administrative factors behind the blackout. A comprehensive report with recommendations will be submitted to the President soon.

A senior executive mansion source stated, "The President has made it clear—this cannot happen again." The airport's operations must be stabilized without delay.

**Root of the Blackout**

During a Senate Joint Committee hearing on April 2, LAA Deputy Managing Director Jonathan Enders explained that the blackout was due to a bird strike damaging key equipment. The automatic transfer switch (ATS), which switches power sources during outages, was also affected.

Enders noted that garbage dumping around the airport attracted birds. He blamed nearby residents and airport workers for creating this problem by discarding waste improperly. "This is peak season for large birds," he said, adding that human activity worsened the situation.

After the strike, RIA switched to its private generator system and called in Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for damage assessment. A final evaluation on March 30 revealed further damage from a power surge affecting several components.

**LEC Recommends Overhaul**

At the Senate hearing, LEC Acting Managing Director Thomas Z. Gonkarwon recommended reviewing RIA's power infrastructure completely. He suggested redesigning the ATS system and installing a bypass connection for emergencies.

Gonkarwon also announced plans to deploy a standby transformer at RIA as backup during outages. "This was a wake-up call," he stated, emphasizing that resilience must be built into national assets like airports.

**Long-Term Energy Plan**

The LAA is already working on long-term solutions to avoid future issues. Acting Managing Director Jero Merd-Cole shared plans to procure a new 3-megawatt transformer for better energy reliability at RIA.

Additionally, they are increasing backup generator capacity to 2.5 megawatts so essential areas remain operational during disruptions. Merd-Cole confirmed that they are exploring renewable energy options like solar power as part of their strategy.

**Perimeter Cleanup and Relocation Plans**

The committee will also tackle environmental issues contributing to bird strikes. The LAA has cleared one illegal dumpsite near RIA but found another behind it. They are collaborating with Liberia Land Authority to relocate residents encroaching on airport land, addressing sanitation and safety risks.