In an effort to live up to the popular saying that “No one can build/develop Liberia but Liberians,” local construction contractors are advocating for increased participation and recognition in the sector.
After decades of neglect and marginalization, the contractors, under the auspices of the Association of Liberian Construction Contractors (ALCC), are seeking renewed collaboration with government, its international partners and other private actors to ensure the sustainable growth and development of the Liberian construction industry in particular, and the country in general.
“Through shared commitment and cooperation, the construction sector can thrive and contribute positively to Liberia’s advancement,” Christopher C. Bull, ALCC Board Chairman, said at a press conference on Tuesday, April 29.
While the ALCC act mandates that 25% of all government and international construction contracts must benefit local contractors, this is often ignored, with projects being awarded to foreign firms without ALCC’s knowledge or involvement.
Bull unveiled the current realities faced by local contractors, highlighting the importance of their recognition and fair participation in national development projects. He emphasized the need for transparent enforcement of existing regulations and the promotion of local content provisions.
“The ALCC is dedicated to empowering and including local contractors in Liberia’s construction sector,” he said. “And it is high time that we are prioritized and given preference in the development of our country.
He noted that the need for strengthened partnerships and consistent engagement from certain stakeholders remains a concern.
Bull noted that local contractors are used as steppingstones, “and when the big wins come in, we are sidelined,” he said. “That’s why the ALCC is pushing so hard for proper recognition and enforcement of our role in national development.
“We can no longer allow foreign firms to exploit the talents and resources of our people and walk away with the benefits. We must insist on a legal framework that protects local participation. We need the implementation of existing regulations and enforcement of local content provisions.
The ALCC is craving what it termed as the “Liberalization of the construction sector.
“This is not meant to chase away our partners but to ensure that partnerships are built on fairness, respect, and mutual benefit. If a foreign firm comes to Liberia, it must partner with a certified local contractor. That’s how we create jobs, build capacity, and empower our people,” Bull said, while also noting that the association is also advocating for fair dispute-resolution mechanisms in contracts.
“When things go wrong, our contractors have nowhere to turn. We are proposing the establishment of a Construction Dispute Tribunal, where grievances can be heard and addressed transparently, fairly, and swiftly,” he added.
ALCC is not against competition, but fair competition, he said.
“Let everyone who wants to work in this sector show their credentials, follow the process, and respect the laws of Liberia. That is the only way we can move forward together as a nation,” association board chair noted.
However, after years of neglect, some strides are being made as the ALCC recently signed memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Public Works to promote the25% local content in projects and establish a Monitoring Task Force for effective implementation of the ALCC’s regulations.
“We want to commend Public Works for the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the ALCC,” he said. “The MOUs seek to promote 25% local content and the establishment of a Monitoring Task Force (Joint Inspection) by MPW, ALCC, Engineering Society of Liberia and Liberia Institute of Architect for implementation of provision in the ALCC’s Act.”
Public Works Minister, Roland Giddings, has also promised to ensure that all international partners factor the 25% local content of projects awarded to foreign contractors, and ensure the inclusion of local contractors in projects awarded to foreign firms.
“This commitment from the Minister of Public Works is a milestone for us and we want to be grateful for that,” Bull noted.
ALCC’s Struggles over the Years
ALCC was established in 1979 to represent and advocate for the interests of agricultural and construction contractors in Liberia. However, shortly after its establishment, Liberia experienced a series of crises—the April 14 Rice Riots, the 1980 military coup, the subsequent military government, and the civil war that began in 1990. These national challenges hindered ALCC’s effectiveness for many years.
It was not until 2004 that ALCC began to function meaningfully. Since then, the association has engaged with the public and other stakeholders, although it has often faced a lack of cooperation.
One major challenge has been the government’s reluctance to formally engage with private institutions that are not legislated.
In one instance, contractors collaborated with the Ministry of Public Works to increase registration fees, with an understanding that 60% of the proceeds would be returned to the industry to build capacity. Unfortunately, this initiative was short-lived due to violations of the Public Financial Law, which mandates that all such payments must go to the national treasury.
As a result, the contractors continued to pay the increased fees, but the funds were no longer shared with the association. This left local contractors without critical resources, and the ALCC had little or no role in major ongoing national construction projects.
ALCC President, Sackie G. Johnson, at the press conference, emphasized the challenges faced and strides made to enhance the role of local contractors in the industry.
“The ALCC was established to ensure that Liberian contractors play a central role in the country’s construction industry. When foreign contractors’ complete projects and leave, it is the local contractors who remain to handle maintenance,” he said. “Yet, these local professionals are often excluded from initial project execution, leaving them sidelined.”
This exclusion led to ALCC’s push for legislation to formalize its role and increase its influence. In August 2023, the ALCC, alongside the Engineering Society and the Liberia Institute of Architects, was finally legislated.
This legislation empowers ALCC to function in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works, not as a replacement, but as a key partner, particularly in communities where the Ministry’s reach is limited.
“There is a critical need to inform the public about ALCC’s role,” Johnson said. “Many individuals misrepresent themselves as construction contractors without proper training or certification, leading to substandard work and tarnishing the reputation of legitimate contractors.”
He added that Public Works has been supportive, encouraging ALCC to get organized and prepare for a stronger role in upcoming national projects.
“The Ministry has signed an MOU with ALCC to enhance regulation of the sector and has allowed ALCC to pre-vet contractors,” he said. “Today, ALCC is establishing a Monitoring Task Force to assist in enforcing sector regulations. All contractors operating in Liberia are now required by law to obtain certification from ALCC as part of the pre-qualification process.”
“We will enforce the 25% Local Content Requirement, conducting outreach and sensitization to multilateral institutions and firms, and demanding inclusion of ALCC-certified contractors in all construction packages.” he said. “We will monitor contract implementation to ensure technology transfer and capacity development.”
He added that Liberia can only benefit if its citizens and institutions are actively involved in national development.
“ALCC is committed to ensuring that local contractors are empowered, trained, and included in national infrastructure development. We call on all stakeholders—government ministries, international agencies, the media, and the public—to respect and support the legal mandate of ALCC. Verify contractor credentials, demand ALCC certification, and ensure due diligence before awarding any contract.
“ALCC is now active. The ALCC Act gives us strong legal backing. Anyone who interferes with what is rightfully ours — funding, opportunities, or recognition — should be aware: We can sue, and we can be sued,” Johnson warned. “To those who think they can ignore ALCC’s role, bypass its authority, or marginalize our contractors: We urge you to refrain. We are here to protect, promote, and advance the Liberian construction industry — and we will not be silent.”
