Liberia’s Transport Minister Samuel Wlue expresses confidence that air cargo storage will be guaranteed upon the completion of a [multi – million] cargo project at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County.
Welcoming the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, 4 April for the project estimated at US$11 million, Mr. Wlue calls it an added value and a new beginning for Liberia.
The proposed facility named Roberts Air Cargo Center (RACC) is under a joint venture company of Global Logistics Services, Inc. (GLS) and the National Aviation Services (NAS), called GLS – NAS.
Upon the completion of the RACC project, Minister Wlue notes that there will be a place where “our storage will be guaranteed.”
“Let’s go break grounds, and I pray that a year from now we can speak more,” Minister Wlue ends his short statement.
The project is expected to be completed by April 2020.
The proposed new cargo terminal at RIA is expected to measure 2,700 sqm, aimed at improving RIA’s air cargo operations to meet international standards and support export supply capacity in Liberia.
GLS-NAS says it can be further expanded up to 3,553 sqm. The company indicates that it currently operates out of the existing warehouse at RIA, handling nines airlines and over 2200 metric tons of cargo annually.
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Earlier, Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) Acting Managing Director Bishop John Allan Klayee points out the tireless efforts of the management teams of GLS – NAS and the LAA in reaching a defining moment in their strive to provide for airlines and chariots, a conducive and modern cargo facility for the first time in Liberia.
According to Bishop Klayee, the LAA is involving into an airport management company which intends to power Liberia airports as destination of choice.
He expresses optimism that the project will go a long way in alleviating problems associated with storage for cargo here.
With the completion of a new state – of – the – art terminal building at RIA, Bishop Klayee says the airfield at RIA will grow steadily with facilities like the RACC which will help to enhance operations at a massive scale.
However, Bishop Klayee admonishes the contractors for the RACC project to adhere to airport compliance requirements as they will be required from time to time during the course of the construction.
For his part, the chair for GLS – NAS Mr. Malcolm King calls the ground breaking ceremony a vindication of the many years of hard works they did since 2014 when they presented their initial concept to the then Board of the LAA.
Mr. King notes that they felt it was a long shot, but expresses delight that the groundbreaking is a vindication of what they started.
He concludes that they look forward to opening the facility in 12 months.
Meanwhile, GLS- NAS General Manager Axel Coulibaly says the groundbreaking ceremony marks the commencement of construction for a new cargo terminal at the RIA.
By Winston W. Parley
