RIA Renovation Deal – A Ticking Time Bomb? -As Turkish Company Has Links to Guinean Crisis; Ex-Guinean Pres. Conde

MONROVIA – Impeccable sources within the National Investment Commission particularly close to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, have reliably confided in this paper about ongoing plans by the Liberian Government to hire the Tukey-based Albayrak Group to undertake renovation of the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

However, it has been reported that decisions surrounding the consideration of this company by the government are being critically reviewed, coupled with international consultations, due to the alleged alignment of the company with former Guinean President, Mr. Alpha Conde, who was overthrown by the Guinean military junta led by Mamady Doumbouya.

According to our highly placed sources, the strong critiques and review processes are triggered by further information, which revealed that the company is directly linked to former President Conde.

Additionally, it is also alleged that Mr. Conde is constantly striking some clandestine concession deals with the management of the Turkish-based Albayrak Group for his financial empowerment to fight back at General Doumbouya and his militarily led-government of Guinea.

Our sources further hinted that the former Guinean President had phoned President Boakai, used his influence, and pleaded for the awarding of the contract of the RIA to the Albayrak Group.

The atmosphere under this ongoing discussion surrounding the contract might have a serious security implication on Liberia, as uncertainty looms over the aftermath or reaction from Guinean President General Doumbouya should the company be awarded the contract.

According to the sources, President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence; RIA General Manager James K. Mulbah, and RIA Board Massaquoi Kamara are allegedly the ringleaders behind the deal.

This paper is further informed that the three top government officials had earlier paid a visit to Istanbul, Turkey and met with the former Guinean President, Mr. Conde and executives of Albayrak Group to discuss the contract.

At the same time, it is understood that the RIA Board Chair, Mr. Kamara, is reportedly in a fight with the sector head, Transport Minister Sirleaf Tyler, as information further suggests that Minister Tyler has expressed strong opposition to the deal.

NIC Requests Constitution of IMCC By President Boakai

In a letter dated November 20, 2024, and addressed to the president, a copy of which is in the possession of this paper, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Mr. Jeff B. Blibo, requested the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) to address the financing and redevelopment of the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

“As you are aware, financing the operations of the airport has been a significant challenge,” the letter stated. It added that the Board of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has decided to contract the services of a private sector to invest the capital required to resuscitate the airport and bring it up to a modern facility.

In the communication, Mr. Blibo further indicated that the potential developer will be required to enter into a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement, following which the airport will be turned over to the Government of Liberia.

“To move forward with this initiative, the relevant approvals-such as the LAA Board Approval, issuance of the Concession Certificate by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Public Procurement and Concession Commission No Objection to proceed with a competitive process-have been received,” it stated.

The NIC boss stressed that to ensure the conduct of the procurement process in compliance with Section 81(3g) of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) of 2010, the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) is crucial to oversee and facilitate this process. “Excellency, please accept the assurances of my highest esteem”.

GOL Invites Albayrak Group to Present Proposal

At the same time, in another communication in the possession of this paper reportedly written by President Boakai, the Liberian government extended an invitation to the Albayrak Group to present a proposal.

“Following your previous visit to Monrovia and our discussions during my transit in Istanbul, Turkey, I am pleased to formally invite you to Liberia to make a comprehensive presentation of your proposal for the redevelopment of Roberts International Airport (RIA),” the letter said.

Accordingly, the invitation is also based on the information provided by the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) after their fact-finding mission to Turkey, and subsequent engagements.

The letter also indicated that the presentation will provide the company an opportunity to showcase its capabilities, not only in airport development but also in areas such as agriculture, transportation, and other sectors where its expertise aligns with Liberia’s developmental priorities under the president’s administration’s “ARREST” Agenda.

“Please feel free to reach out to the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) to coordinate logistical arrangements and finalize details regarding your visit…” the communication stated.

Meanwhile, it is understood that the contract for the renovation of the RIA is heavily being chased after by several other companies based in China and the United Kingdom, including Suma Group and FB Group, among others.

Albayak’s shady part

It can be recalled how on September 30, 2019 the Albayak Group, a conglomerate that has traditionally sponsored Turkey’s political Islamic regime and has been a loyal ally of autocratic President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was fingered by the Nordic Monitor to have been at the heart of bedlam in Guinea, West Africa, through a series of business deals, including a concession agreement for the country’s most strategic port, a situation that caused massive protests in the Guinean capital Conakry.

“The public reaction after the Guinean president awarded the Turkish company the concession for the Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC) without following the proper procedures contributed to the already fragile political atmosphere in the West African country. While the current president, Alpha Condé, was accused of violating the constitution in an attempt to extend his presidency, Albayrak’s business relations with the country under the auspices of Erdoğan only added more woes to his troubled presidency,” the Nordic Monitor had said at the time.

The quarrel surrounding the PAC erupted on August 10, when the Guinean government announced that Albayrak would operate the conventional section of the Conakry port, which handles cargo excluding containers, for a period of 25 years. The Turkish company would in return invest $200 million over the first two years while committing to invest a total of $500 million for the entire term of the contract.

“This didn’t allay the concerns of the Guineans, though. They knew some things were not right concerning a number of very crucial details. At the heart of this popular reaction was the suspicion that the Guinean authorities had just gifted a national asset to a Turkish company without observing the legally required procedures. For many, the Albayrak Group was clearly favored in a political move, as if Condé was making overtures to Erdoğan. The National Confederation of Workers of Guinea (CNTG) lost no time in announcing a strike to force the government to step back from this serious mistake,” reported the Nordic Monitor.

The Guinean weekly Le Populaire in its August 20 2018 edition called the new contract “the rip-off of the century” (l’arnaque du siècle in French). According to leaks, Albayrak was entitled to 82 percent of duties collected in exchange for port investment. “The workers of the Port of Conakry will not be able to do anything against their inevitable and possible dismissal since the contract stipulates it, and clearly, the Turkish company Albayrak is free to ‘choose its personnel.’ The Guinean State also renounces its customs duties and royalties and grants the concessionaire, exempted from taxes for 10 years, [the right] to collect them,” the daily said in its lead story.

Editor’s note: The Nordic Research Monitoring Network (Nordic Monitor) is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of radical and violent extremist trends in Europe and beyond, with a specific focus on patterns that disrupt peace and harmony among community groups, with an emphasis on Turkey. It hopes to contribute to the debate on how nations should prevent and combat radicalization with close cooperation and collaboration between all relevant stakeholders at all levels of governance with the involvement of the NGO community and civil society.