Following some rumour making the rounds that, the Robert International airport (RIA), by extension the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) in lower Margibi County was got on fire, the Airport Authority in response to the rumour has categorically denies reports trending that there was fire outbreak at the airport on Sunday, April 30.
Acting Communication officer of the RIA, Jefferson Daryoue, told reporters, Monday 1st May 2023, said “there was no incident of fire outbreak at the airport” and the airport is saved for passengers traveling and departing Liberia and arriving.
According to him, “What may have led to the rumor is mere propagandist in exist, intended to tannish the hard earned reputation of the entity. When touring the airport facility on Monday, Liberia Public Radio (LPR) observed that Landside, terrain or Operation side of the Airport, were all in tight as passengers carryout their normal travel operation.
Our observation have it, that the pathway leading to the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) Industrial Fire service department office, responsible for emergency of fire outbreak and Compliances, is under constructions, which Mr. Daryoue said isn’t part of the active runaway for aircrafts, the arrivals and departures terminals, were all active, without any signs of an fire outbreak as seen by reporter Liberia Public Radio.
Inquiry that the active runway used for aircraft, built in 1970s, the 3,353m-long asphalt runway was upgraded, the former President Ellen- Johnson Sirleaf led administration to an international civil aviation standards, during the tour of the facility, the LPR-TV were never taken to the two-power Houses responsible for electricity, and the main Generator room for current supplies, but the car parking, on-site roads, communications systems, water supply and sewage treatment systems, and electrical systems, were all seen in tigh.
The operational and safety-related airport equipment and facilities include fire-fighting systems at the Aviation Industrial Fire Service department, conveyor-belt loaders, forklifts, passenger stairs, buses, and ambulance were seen by our reporter.
Cllr. Lawrence C. Sackie, Fire Commission officer of the Aviation Industrial Fire Service, said they are well prepared to effectively attend to emergencies at nation’s premier airport, than previous, were no serviceable fire tender, to swiftly response to crisis, while lauding the management of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), by extension the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), for its continues support toward the fire fighter department, by providing equipment, including three active trucks, extinguishers, among others, to ease their operation.
For his part the Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), Mr. Martin Hayes, has urged the public to desist from spreading misleading informations, which undermines the credibility of the Authority he said the management of the RIA remain constructive and focus on the safety and security, of the over 500 lives, that arrive at the Airport on a daily basis, than listening to mere gossips in the public, that will underrates the workings of his administration, while boosting that he remain committed to working the interest of the nation and its people while providing the best affordable services to its passenge.
Recently news broke out that Liberia only airport RIA was gutted by fire and there was no fire truck assigned at the area.
However, Mr. Hayes director of the RIA applauds his Boss President George Manneh Weah, for his continue support toward the airport authority, while assuring the safety and security of passengers, doing business with the Airport, “The Liberia Airport Authority remains committed in serving all of its airport users as it is the responsibility of the LAA-RIA to provide you the best,” Hayes, said.
