The current atmosphere in Liberia is ripe for decentralization. Over the last several months, the Liberian senate was involved with discussions to give full autonomy to sea ports across the country which I believe is a step in the right direction with the goal to boost economic vitality for different sectors of the country having those seaport assets; however, there is another port that needs full autonomy, and that is the airport.
Firstly, the Robert International Airport (RIA) is located in Charlesville (some might say Harbel); however, the one general consensus would be that RIA is not located in Monrovia. This means the city of Charlesville has to run the airport, not Monrovia. This also means the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designation for the airport has to change from Monrovia to Charlesville. That means the next time you are flying to Liberia, the gate agent, flight attendant and pilot should announce that you are flying into Charlesville, lower Margibi County, not Monrovia.
Why is this important?
Liberia will not be an outlier to list an airport for the city in which it is located. In fact, it is a standard practice around the world to list and call an airport for the actual city in which it is located.
For instance, even though Lagos is the most populous and famous city in Nigeria, when you are flying into Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, it is announced by gate agents, flight attendants and pilot that you are flying into Abuja, not Lagos.
Also, When you are flying into Prempeh Internation Airport in Kumasi, it is announced that you are flying into Kumasi, not Accra. The state of New York has several airports located in Buffalo, Syracuse, White Plains and New York City; however, when you are flying into Syracuse, it says Syracuse Hancock International Airport, not JFK or New York city, even though both are the most popular and internationally recognized airport and city, respectively.
And just to put it into perspective, the City of Kumasi runs the Prempeh International Airport, not Accra. The City of Abuja runs the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, not Lagos. The city of Syracuse manages the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, not New York city.
What has Charlesville benefited from RIA?
Charlesville has to benefit from specific taxes and fees paid by flying passengers and airport concessions. In short, Charlesville has to benefit from every economic activity that takes place at RIA.
The Senators and Superintendent of Margibi County and Representatives of Lower Margibi County have the responsibility to ensure that Charlesville and the surrounding communities have a major seat at the decision-making table of all things RIA.
It is important to note that since the 1940s when US Army negro troops occupied what is now RIA to fend off Nazi influence in North Africa, the people of Charlesville and its surrounding communities like Harbel, Marshall and other indigenous Mamba villages have always been affected by the by-product of activities happening at the airport. In addition to living under the constant noise pollution of military aircraft and noise emanating from military activities on the airfield, they were also ironically struck by the aroma of savory dishes from the kitchen and mess hall of the troops giving rise to the name of the community known as “smell no taste.” They did not eat any of the food, they only smelled it. Now, in the 21st century, they must endure noise pollution from growling jet engines, with flights arriving as early as 4am, when most people are still in their phase of deep sleep.
The undisputable fact is that while Monrovia sleeps, the City of Charlesville and its surrounding communities are under constant noise from jet engine propulsion; therefore, Monrovia has to give Charlesville the opportunity to be the decision-maker and beneficiary of the naming rights and economic activities at RIA.
Jusu Gow, MSA, ACE
jgowus@yahoo.com
