West Africa: Liberia, EU and Germany Launch €8.6m to Modernize Ria
[Liberian Observer] The Government of Liberia, the European Union (EU), and the Government of Germany have officially launched a three-year, €8.6 million partnership aimed at strengthening aviation safety, security, and critical infrastructure at Roberts International Airport (RIA), Liberia's primary international gateway.
The Government of Liberia, the European Union (EU), and Germany have launched a three-year, €8.6 million partnership to improve aviation safety, security, and infrastructure at Roberts International Airport (RIA), Liberia's primary international gateway. The initiative, called "Enhancing Safe and Secure Air Connectivity at the RIA," targets airport operations, emergency response, and connectivity with regional and international markets.
The EU is funding €7.8 million, while Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) contributes €800,000. Implementation will be carried out by Germany's GIZ, under the Africa InCORE initiative, which supports the African Union's Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
Over three years, the project will modernize air traffic control, navigation, and communication systems, enhance emergency response capabilities with improved firefighting and rescue equipment, and rehabilitate critical infrastructure, including runway, taxiways, and terminal facilities. It will also bolster the airport's security through upgraded infrastructure and surveillance systems.
The Liberia Airport Authority and Liberia Civil Aviation Authority will receive technical and institutional support to maintain upgraded systems. Julius D. Dennis Jr., Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority, sees the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen connections with the wider world, improving safety, reliability, and trade, tourism, and investment prospects.
The EU's Head of Partnerships, Gilles Matayron, stresses that safe and reliable air transport is vital for sustainable economic development and regional integration. Germany's Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Carsten Hölcher, highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure and institutional capacity to ensure safe and reliable air transportation, creating better conditions for trade and economic cooperation.
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