Construction contractors in Nimba County have restated their commitment to collaborating with Contract Awarding Entities and Government of Liberia officials to enhance capacity and bolster regulatory compliance.
They have called for ongoing discussions, heightened dissemination of information about the ALCC Act, and enhanced support for local contractors to meet national standards and contribute to Liberia’s infrastructure development.
This commitment was expressed during a recent one-day engagement meeting of construction stakeholders in Sanniquelle City, Nimba County.
ALCC was established in 1979 to represent and advocate for the interests of agricultural and construction contractors in Liberia.
Sackie G. Johnson, the President of ALCC, led a significant delegation at the gathering and highlighted the association’s dedication to strengthening local capacity and improving coordination among all stakeholders as top priorities under his leadership.
He underscored that the ALCC Act aims to promote professionalism, ensure quality assurance, and safeguard the interests of both contractors and clients in the industry. The focus of the meeting was primarily on the impact of the ALCC Legislation on construction contractors and development partners operating in Nimba County.
After decades of neglect and marginalization, construction contractors, under the auspices of the Association of Liberian Construction Contractors (ALCC), are becoming more vocal as they seek collaboration with government, its international partners and other private actors to ensure the sustainable growth and development of the Liberian construction industry
“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.
At that press conference, ALCC president Johnson 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.”
Against this backdrop, participants at the event in Nimba engaged in extensive discussions on how the legislative framework would shape the future of construction in Liberia, with a specific focus on Nimba County.
Dr. Emmanuel Doseahn, the Dean of the Engineering College and Geo-Science at Nimba University, commended the ALCC Legislation as a positive step towards formalizing and regulating the construction sector.
Other attendees raised concerns about the implementation and compliance challenges faced by Contract Awarding Entities, urging them to adhere to the requirements of the ALCC Act.
Meanwhile, after years of neglect, the ALCC is making strides. The group 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,” Chairman Bull disclosed at the press conference. “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.
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.”
