By Linus Flomo/BASSA
The Liberia Opportunity Industrialization Center (LOIC), Grand Bassa County’s sole Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, is grappling with a growing salary crisis that officials say could cripple its operations if left unaddressed.
Charles Davis, the center’s manager, sounded the alarm, warning that chronic underpayment of instructors has reached a breaking point.
Speaking to reporters, Davis revealed that LOIC’s teachers have endured years of low wages despite persistent appeals for salary adjustments, leaving morale at an all-time low and jeopardizing the quality of education.
“Both past and current administrations have failed to address this issue, which has long hindered the smooth operation of the institution,” Davis said.
He said, “We have quality instructors who are passionate and committed, but when you consistently underpay people, it becomes almost impossible to retain talent and maintain standards.”
According to Davis, the crisis threatens to disrupt academic activities as early as the next school year.
Without immediate intervention, he warned, the center could face mass resignations and a breakdown in essential training programs designed to equip young Liberians with practical skills for employment.
Founded in 2004 in the aftermath of the Liberian Civil War, LOIC has been a beacon of hope for hundreds of Liberians seeking to rebuild their lives through vocational education.
Offering programs in carpentry, masonry, welding, tailoring, and other trades, the institution has played a vital role in workforce development in Grand Bassa and beyond.
However, Davis emphasized that the persistent salary challenges are undermining the institution’s mission.
“We have the infrastructure, we have the resources, but without fairly compensated instructors, none of it can function effectively,” he said.
The LOIC manager has called on the Grand Bassa County Administration, the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, and the national government to urgently intervene.
He urged stakeholders to prioritize funding for the institution to ensure that instructors are paid competitive wages and that the next generation of Liberian tradespeople can continue to benefit from its programs.
The situation at LOIC comes amid broader national discussions about the importance of TVET education in driving Liberia’s economic recovery and reducing youth unemployment. Advocates warn that if institutions like LOIC are allowed to falter, the country could lose critical momentum in its fight against poverty and joblessness.
As of press time, county and national officials had yet to respond publicly to Davis’s appeal.
