The Government of Liberia, in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO), has pledged urgent reforms to strengthen Liberia’s aviation safety system. This follows a series of strategic meetings held Wednesday at the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building, bringing together senior officials, lawmakers, and international aviation experts.
The meetings centered on findings from ICAO’s 2022 safety audit, which identified two Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) and placed Liberia’s aviation oversight performance below 30%—far beneath the ICAO global safety target of 75%.
Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) Director General Hon. Julius M. Dennis explained that the mission of ICAO and BAGASOO in Liberia was to support the country in implementing corrective measures.
“We have embarked on a roadmap toward corrective action, but this effort requires the support of stakeholders and global partners,” DG Dennis said. “Over the last few days, we reviewed gaps, assessed what has been done locally, and charted a way forward to eliminate the significant safety concerns.”
He stressed that collaboration with ICAO and BAGASOO was critical for Liberia to meet international standards and ensure safety at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
Mr. Manzi Nika Mehieza, ICAO Deputy Regional Director for Western and Central Africa (WACAF), commended Liberia’s efforts so far but stressed that urgent improvements were necessary.
“The audit showed Liberia still has two unresolved SSCs. This is a serious concern because it means aircraft landing at RIA face safety risks,” Mehieza warned. “The civil aviation authority must be strengthened, with emphasis on recruiting and training qualified technical personnel.”
He noted that Liberia’s performance currently under 30% was well below global standards, urging the government to prioritize reforms.
“Our target is to see Liberia resolve the SSCs within the next three months. Beyond that, the LCAA must be empowered to act as a strong regulator, not a passive player,” he added.
House Speaker Hon. Richard N. Koon pledged legislative support for aviation reforms, including budgetary allocations in the upcoming fiscal year.
“The aviation sector has suffered neglect for too long. My leadership is determined to change that,” Speaker Koon said. “We will provide budgetary allotments to replace outdated equipment, not just recalibrate them. Safety must be prioritized.”
The Speaker also assured that the Legislature would work with the Ministry of Finance to settle aviation-related debts and ratify outstanding international protocols to align Liberia with global aviation standards.
Minister of State without Portfolio Hon. Mamaka Bility, representing President Joseph N. Boakai, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to aviation reforms.
“Aviation safety is close to the President’s heart. He has personally chaired aviation meetings because he wants not just a beautiful airport but a safe one,” Bility said.
She announced that the government would develop a roadmap with clear timelines, settle arrears to ICAO to secure training opportunities, and support LCAA’s institutional capacity.
“From below 30%, we can move to 50% and beyond. Liberia has overcome bigger challenges before—we will make our aviation sector safe and compliant with international standards,” she added.
National Security Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods emphasized that aviation oversight had now been elevated to a national security priority.
“Appointing a competent and energetic DG like Julius Dennis was deliberate. Aviation is no longer just a technical issue—it is tied to our national security and economic future,” Woods said.
Next Steps
The meetings concluded with consensus among stakeholders: Liberia must urgently resolve its SSCs, modernize its air navigation equipment, invest in training aviation personnel, and strengthen LCAA’s capacity as the lead regulator.
With firm commitments from the Executive, Legislature, and international partners, Liberia is expected to begin implementing its roadmap immediately. ICAO and BAGASOO pledged continued technical support to ensure that by the next review, Liberia demonstrates measurable progress in safety oversight.
“Fixing aviation safety is not just about compliance,” one delegate remarked. “It’s about restoring confidence in Liberia’s skies and safeguarding the lives of every passenger who lands at Roberts International Airport.”
