Liberia: Footage shows water leaking through the roof of Roberts International Airport Terminal during heavy rain

The upgraded terminal was originally inaugurated in 2017 by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and was officially inaugurated in 2019 by former President George Weah. The upgrades were part of a larger effort to modernize the airport and improve passenger services, funded by international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development and the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.

These improvements aimed to improve Liberia's global connectivity and address long-standing problems, including aging infrastructure. However, recent leaks have raised questions about the quality of construction work or possible maintenance deficiencies, particularly given Liberia's long rainy season and significant annual rainfall.

There is growing public concern that the leaks could pose a security risk or damage critical systems in the terminal. The footage sparked widespread criticism. Many called for accountability and urgent repairs to prevent future incidents.

Travelers expressed frustration and stressed that RIA, as Liberia's main airport, should meet higher infrastructure standards due to its importance to national development and international connectivity.

In a video obtained by FrontPage Africa, a woman was overheard expressing her disappointment: “We said we wanted a modern terminal and now we have one.” She attributed the poor construction work to the Chinese contractors involved in the project .

Airport authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the leaks, but are expected to face increasing pressure to address the root causes and take corrective measures to prevent further disruption.

The incident also highlights broader challenges in Liberia's infrastructure sector, where problems with maintenance and quality control persist despite investments in improvements.