Published: January 20, 2026
MONROVIA — Former Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins has raised concerns over her exclusion from the ongoing National Infrastructure Conference in Gompa City, Nimba County, an event organized by the government through the Ministry of Public Works.
The multi-day conference has drawn policymakers, engineers, development partners and sector stakeholders to discuss Liberia’s infrastructure priorities and the country’s long-term development agenda.
In an open letter addressed to Public Works Minister Roland L. Giddings, Collins said she was disappointed not to have been invited, noting that infrastructure development is a continuous national undertaking that should transcend political administrations.
“Infrastructure development is a continuous national endeavor that transcends beyond political parties and administrations,” Collins wrote, stressing the importance of institutional memory, professional continuity and inclusive engagement in shaping sustainable infrastructure policies.
Collins said conferences of this nature provide space for knowledge-sharing, lessons learned and collaboration across different generations of leadership in the sector. She argued that including former ministers and senior professionals strengthens policy discussions and supports long-term planning.
“Inclusion of former ministers and senior professionals helps ensure continuity, enriches policy discourse, and reinforces the principle that national development is a shared responsibility,” she said.
Collins emphasized that she raised the concern in good faith and not as criticism, adding that she remains willing to contribute to Liberia’s infrastructure development in any capacity where her experience and expertise may be useful.
Ministry Says Exclusion Was “Oversight,” Extends Invitation
In response, the Ministry of Public Works — through the Organizing Committee of the National Infrastructure Conference 2026 — issued an open reply acknowledging Collins’ concern and admitting her absence from the initial invitees list was an oversight.
“Your non-inclusion in the initial list of invitees was an unfortunate oversight,” the ministry said, adding that the lapse did not reflect the esteem in which Collins is held as a former minister, professional engineer and contributor to national development.
The ministry agreed that infrastructure planning should transcend political transitions and recognized the value of institutional memory carried by former ministers and senior professionals. It said the conference was structured to encourage dialogue across generations to strengthen Liberia’s infrastructure development agenda.
As part of its response, the ministry formally invited Collins to participate in Day Three of the conference on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, indicating the conference runs through at least that date.
Day Three will focus on “Building Resilient Infrastructure, Enhancing Road Connectivity, and Integrating Climate Change.”
“Your perspective as a former sector leader will greatly enrich the discussions, particularly on policy continuity, asset management, and lessons learned from previous interventions,” the ministry said.
The conference secretariat also said arrangements would be made to facilitate Collins’ participation in technical sessions and roundtables, while thanking her for her continued commitment to public service.
The exchange has sparked broader discussion among observers about inclusivity, institutional continuity and professional collaboration in Liberia’s infrastructure development process, with some viewing the ministry’s response as a constructive step toward strengthening sector-wide cooperation.
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