Acting DG, Saygbe Sinks in Conundrum To Find Remedy.
Monrovia, Liberia – The National Fisheries and Aqua-Cultural Authority Acting Director General, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr has averred that despite the many opportunities left by Suspended Director General Emma Glascow, he is inheriting a mountain of challenges at the National Fisheries Authority, that would define his tenure as Acting Director General.
“We must, however, also face a number of urgent issues that characterize our current situation in spite of these chances and continued efforts.”
Honorable J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr, took office as Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aqua-Cultural Authority on Monday, March 24, 2024 following the suspension of Emma Metieh Glassco, the Director-General of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), who was suspended on February 13, 2025, by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Glassco’s suspension was based on recommendations from NaFAA’s Board of Directors, citing managerial and financial inefficiencies. Additionally, the Office of the Ombudsman reported concerns over Glassco’s leadership style, describing her approach as “insultive” during an official investigation meeting.
The Office of the Ombudsman further fined Glassco five hundred United States dollars for violating Sections 5.1A and 5.1B of the Code of Conduct, citing her indifference, arrogance, and disregard for the rights of her subordinate staff.
In response to these allegations, President Boakai directed the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to conduct further investigations into the matter. However, Glassco has publicly denounced her suspension, describing it as a political conspiracy aimed at erasing her legacy and tarnishing her reputation.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aqua-Cultural Authority, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr, during his induction ceremony provided that the Fisheries Authority is facing challenges ranging from outstanding financial arrears pending vendor payments over the years complications involving LRA income tax and NASSCORP withholdings that were deducted from staff but never remitted from as far back as 2020 to date, unlawful dismissals where the Labor Court has ruled in favor of the staffs to be paid, and overdue payments to the National Port Authority pose significant hurdles.
“We face outstanding financial arrears totaling 3.1 million United States Dollars that include pending vendor payments over the years , complications involving LRA income tax and NASSCORP withholdings that were deducted from staff but never remitted from as far back as 2020 to date , unlawful dismissals where the Labor Court has ruled in favor of the staffs to be paid, and overdue payments to the National Port Authority pose significant hurdles.”
The Acting Director General continued by labeling allegations against the Suspended Director General – Emma Glassco by stating that his acting leadership has inherited an unverified bank balance of at least 450,000 USD that meets critical salary obligations for staff.
“We met an unverified bank balance of at least 450,000 USD that will meet critical salary obligations for staff just for the months of March and April 2025.”
Saygbe added he has instructed the Internal Audit Agency at NaFAA commence the review and verifications of the arrears to enable the Authority commence dialogues where needed, stating that the management team has been instructed to commence the remittance of Withholding tax for LRA and Social Security for NASSCORP.
“We have asked our internal auditor from the IAA assigned at NaFAA to commence the review and verifications of these arrears to enable us commence dialogues where needed and commence the liquidation of these liabilities where possible. As at March 2025 payroll, we have agreed as a management team to commence the remittance of Withholding tax for LRA and Social Security for NASSCORP with immediate effect while we discuss the huge outstanding arrears.
Acting Director Saygbe continued by asserting that the complications at NaFAA are further bound by critical international treaty commitments, including addressing Liberia’s yellow card status.
But at the same time pleaded the indulgence of Nafaa employees to leave the past behind and forge ahead to improve these challenges.
“These challenges, compounded by low staff morale and persistent bureaucratic delays, set the stage for the current state of NaFAA as we officially commence operations today, March 24, 2025. We have begged the indulgence of our Nafaa colleagues to leave the past behind us as we all forge ahead to improve these challenges. We now stand at a pivotal juncture.”
The National Fisheries and Aqua-Cultural Authority Acting Director General, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr, lauded the Suspended Director General initiatives by adding that the ongoing Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project supported by the World Bank—currently balancing approximately $21 million and set to conclude in September 2026, demonstrates the incredible potential of the fisheries sector to drive economic growth, enhance livelihoods, and secure food security.
Stating that his Acting Administration has begun engaging with the World Bank to ensure a very successful conclusion of this project to meet its development objectives.
“My engagement with the Project Implementation Unit last week provided me with the appreciation and confidence that the project team is up to the task to meet these deliverables. As such, a follow-on project is being discussed with our Technical Directors and the PIU so as to deepen the gains and explore new areas to sustain our interventions.”
Saygbe continued by lauding international partners such as the OPEC Fund for International Development and the European Union their strong commitment through substantial financial support and capacity-building efforts.
Meanwhile, in response to allegations of financial mismanagement of Donor funds, he added that his leadership has initiated a series of strategic measures.
“We will enhance financial transparency by forging robust partnerships with the General Auditing Commission, ensuring rigorous oversight and accountability through a comprehensive audit schedule planned between May and June 2025. Simultaneously, we have engaged in discussions with the Civil Service Agency to work with our team to conduct thorough personnel and payroll audits, to address salary disparities, thereby optimizing our human resources and aligning them with our strategic objectives.”
Reported by: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
Contact: +231 88 083 1935
