By Patrick Teah Jr.
GRANDCESS, Grand Kru County — The manager of the William R. Tolbert Airport in Grandcess, Grand Kru County, Charles Targbe, has called on the government, county legislative caucus, and local authorities to urgently renovate the airport and improve its facilities to enhance air transportation services in southeastern Liberia.
Targbe made the appeal on October 24, 2026, during an interview at his office in Grandcess, describing the airport’s terminal building as being in deplorable condition, with deteriorating windows, bathrooms, and other sections requiring immediate attention.
He also raised concerns about the airport’s limited workforce, revealing that only two people are currently working at the facility, a situation he said has affected routine maintenance, particularly the clearing of savanna grasses along the runway.
According to Targbe, the shortage of workers has made it difficult to maintain the airport’s surroundings, while inadequate funding continues to undermine efforts to keep the facility in good condition.
He appealed to the government to provide a grass-cutting machine, increase maintenance funding, and recruit additional workers to improve the airport’s operations.
Although the government sometimes provides funding for cleaning and maintenance, Targbe said the assistance is insufficient to address the facility’s growing needs.
The airport manager further identified the absence of electricity in the building as another major challenge, saying the situation affects office operations and the general working environment.
Despite these challenges, Targbe said the airport, established in 1978 during the administration of former President William R. Tolbert, remains operational and continues to serve as an important transportation link for Grand Kru County and surrounding areas.
He disclosed that Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) currently uses the airport to provide air transportation services in Grand Kru and other parts of southeastern Liberia.
According to him, passengers can arrange flights through the service, even when traveling alone, offering an alternative to the often lengthy road journeys connecting southeastern Liberia to other parts of the country.
Targbe estimated that a flight between Grand Kru and Monrovia takes approximately one hour and 30 minutes, while air travel from Maryland County to Grand Kru takes about 15 minutes.
He said improving the airport’s infrastructure and operational capacity would help strengthen transportation services and make air travel more accessible to residents.
Meanwhile, Targbe disclosed that he and his colleague are currently working as contractors, adding that they had been assured of placement on the government payroll early next year.
He urged members of the Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus, local authorities, and other stakeholders to work collectively to address the airport’s challenges, stressing that its development should be treated as a shared responsibility.
“We need help for the airport to grow and for Grand Kru to grow. Let’s own it,” Targbe said.
