Monrovia — - Says Bryant, As EU Team Begins Conducting Audit

In the wake of widespread allegations that corruption is much alive in the National Transitional Government, Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant has disclosed that a "lot of money? has disappeared from the Freeport of Monrovia in recent times.

The Freeport is one of the foremost revenue generating entities of government in addition to the Roberts International Airport and other agencies.

Addressing the nation yesterday, in the Cabinet Room at the Executive Mansion on a wide range of national issues particularly relating to his recent trip to the United States of America where he addressed the United Nations, Chairman Bryant expressed serious concern on the situation at the Freeport of Monrovia.

Dwelling specifically on reports that the government is rife with corruption, Chairman Bryant who fell short in disclosing any specific amount, said in a serious mood, that it is sad to see the Freeport of Monrovia generating lots of money and yet no equipment at the port to work with.

He said people bringing in containers in the country, have to wait for days and even if a grace period was given them, they still can not get their containers, adding "when these people go and clear their containers, they still can not get them and they are charged money before it is cleared."

Speaking in a soft but serious mood, the NTGL Chairman disclosed that a team from the European Union is conducting an audit to establish the wave of corruption at the Freeport of Monrovia.

He used the occasion to call on all Liberians especially the media to help him fight corruption by reporting acts of corruption.

On the issue of a new Managing Director at the Freeport of Monrovia, Chairman Bryant said his government received two letters, one from the Sekou Conneh-led faction of LURD and another from the Kabineh Ja?neh faction each recommending a person to the job.

Chairman Bryant added that upon receiving the two letters, he submitted same to the authority of ECOWAS for its position on the issue.

He said the regional body said that Mr. Sekou Damate Conneh is the legitimate head of LURD.

Chairman Bryant said predicated upon the ECOWAS' position, he endorsed the recommendation of the Sekou Conneh led LURD faction to appoint Mr. Joe Gbala to the position.