By Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe
Liberia will never achieve genuine national progress until we confront a painful but undeniable truth: no nation has ever developed by outsourcing its destiny. Countries rise when they trust their own people to build them.
When a state doubts its own engineers, entrepreneurs, and professionals, it mortgages its future to others. This is why Part IV of The At Least Mentality focuses on Liberianization — the deliberate policy of putting Liberian expertise and enterprise first.
Recently, the National Legislature approved a concession agreement awarding the construction of the St. Paul Bridge–Bo Waterside Road to a foreign company. Regional cooperation is welcome. The Mano River Union matters. But before celebrating this decision, one fundamental question must be asked: Were Liberian companies given a fair and serious chance? Were Liberian engineering firms technically evaluated? Or did we once again surrender to the reflex that “foreign is better”?
This is the essence of the At Least Mentality:
- At least the road will be built.
- At least it is a regional company.
These excuses are not development; they are dependency in disguise.
Every major construction firm in the world began with a contract and a loan. That is how capacity is built. Why, then, are Liberian companies denied the same pathway? Could the Government of Liberia not have structured this project by combining two or more Liberian firms, backed by a solid, bankable contract? With such a contract, financing would not have been a problem. Banks exist to lend where credible opportunities exist.
If the Government of Liberia lacks confidence in Liberian engineers, contractors, and entrepreneurs, who should have it?
Liberians have done it before — and done it well. During the previous administrations, Liberian firms built critical farm-to-market roads under the Integrated Rural Development Program. The Karnplay–Bahn Road stands as testimony. The Monrovia–Robertsfield highway, constructed by the MENSAH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (MCC) owned by Alfred Mensah, a top-notch Liberian engineer, remains one of the finest examples of precision road engineering in our history. Its only true rival is the Klay–Bo Waterside Road built by Daewoo of South Korea — proof that Liberian expertise has long stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the best.
No nation industrializes by exporting its most important opportunities.
No country builds pride by sidelining its own professionals.
No people prosper by treating their citizens as perpetual apprentices.
Botswana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ghana, and Cape Verde succeeded because they made a deliberate choice: national opportunity must first empower nationals. That is not xenophobia. It is patriotism — and sound economics.
In this spirit, and with the deepest respect for the office he holds, I appeal to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai: do not sign the concession agreement for the St. Paul Bridge–Bo Waterside Road. Let this project become a defining moment for Liberianization — proof that this administration trusts Liberians not only with votes, but with responsibility, opportunity, and national development.
Liberia’s road to progress begins with belief in Liberians.
The fight against the At Least Mentality begins with courageous leadership. Liberians are ready. Liberians are capable.
What Liberia needs now is leadership bold enough to act on that truth.
