NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Former Minister of Public Works, Ruth Coker-Collins, has publicly expressed concern over her exclusion from the ongoing National Infrastructure Conference in Gompa City, Nimba County, sparking debate over transparency, inclusivity, and institutional memory in Liberia’s infrastructure sector.
In an open letter addressed to current Minister Roland L. Giddings and shared widely with the public, Coker-Collins, a professional engineer and career public servant, questioned why former ministers and senior sector professionals were not invited to participate in a forum described as critical to Liberia’s long-term infrastructure development.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
“Such conferences provide valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing, reflection on lessons learned, and strengthening professional collaboration across generations of leadership within the sector,” Coker-Collins wrote.
“Inclusion of former ministers and senior professionals helps ensure continuity, enriches policy discourse, and reinforces the principle that national development is a shared responsibility.”
While emphasizing that her concern was raised in good faith rather than as criticism, the former minister underscored the importance of bridging generational experience in the infrastructure sector—an area where policy discontinuity has historically undermined development projects.
The Ministry of Public Works, responding formally through the conference’s Organizing Committee, acknowledged the oversight and extended a formal invitation for Coker-Collins to join Day 3 of the conference.
The Committee described the omission as an “unfortunate oversight” and stressed that it does not reflect a lack of respect for her experience or contributions.
“You are absolutely correct that infrastructure development transcends political transitions and administrations,” the Ministry said in its response. “The knowledge, experience, and institutional memory carried by former ministers and senior professionals remain invaluable national assets.”
The Committee indicated that Day 3 of the conference, scheduled for January 21, 2026, will focus on “Building Resilient Infrastructure, Enhancing Road Connectivity, and Integrating Climate Change,” areas where Coker-Collins’ perspective could be particularly impactful.
The exchange has fueled a broader debate about inclusion and transparency in Liberia’s policymaking forums, with some analysts questioning whether the initial oversight reflects deeper issues of political partisanship in technical sectors. Others see it as a simple administrative lapse swiftly corrected.
For Coker-Collins, however, the episode appears to highlight an ongoing concern: that Liberia’s development agenda benefits most when experience and expertise transcend political transitions. “I remain fully committed to supporting Liberia’s infrastructure development in whatever capacity my experience and expertise may be useful,” she said in her letter, signaling her readiness to engage despite the initial snub.
The conference continues this week, with observers watching closely to see whether the Ministry will make good on its promise of inclusive engagement and whether former ministers like Coker-Collins will play a visible role in shaping Liberia’s infrastructure future.
