Monrovia, Liberia – It has been reported that William Boeh has been appointed as the interim director general of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) by Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, which surpassed his position but claim presidential authority. The Agriculture Minister is accused of abusing his authority by allegedly appointing an interim director to NaFAA, which is against the laws that established the organization. The laws establishing NaFAA mandates that the President make these appointments personally.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and in consultation with the President of the Republic of Liberia, I am pleased to appoint you as Acting Director General of NaFAA pending the investigation of the suspended Director General and a final decision on her status,” reads the contents of Minister Nuetah’s letter.
The NaFAA Workers Association (NaFAAWA), on the other hand, has strongly rejected Minister Nuetah’s appointment and urged President Boakai to appoint a neutral Officer-in-Charge in its place, rejecting the “illegal appointment.” Minister Nuetah’s conduct was deemed unilateral and an effort to sabotage the leadership transition by NaFAAWA.
The most recent appointment coincides with the suspension of the Director General, Emma Glasco, who has been accused by the Office of the Ombudsman with financial impropriety involving World Bank-funded projects and Code of Conduct infractions.
But Glassco in her defense deny the allegations, she insisted that she followed excellent practices to the letter at the institution.
At the same time, the NaFAA Workers Association (NaFAAWA) calls on President Boakai to designate a neutral Officer-in-Charge in lieu of the Agriculture Minister. In order to uncover any hidden financial misconduct, they also call for a thorough audit of NaFAA.
The Ombudsman’s recommendations, which include the Director General’s termination, the Deputy Director General’s three-month unpaid suspension, and an examination of staff termination procedures to guarantee due process and equity, are also being implemented, according to the NaFAAWA.
