Transport Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe has disclosed here that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has begun probing the corruption saga at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), which led to the dismissal of RIA Managing Director Ellen Corkrum.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Liberia Aviation Authority (LAA) Musa Bility, has been cited to assist with the investigation, according to the Transport Minister. Minister Nagbe told a weekly press conference on Thursday at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism in Monrovia that Bility has already appeared before the LACC for questioning.
At the same time, the Transport Boss told newsmen that the Justice Ministry has also been requested to investigate apparent violations of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law and the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) Act in line with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's instructions for further actions into the matter.
Additionally, Nagbe said the General Auditing Commission (GAC) has commissioned an audit of the LAA, despite a private auditing firm commissioned by the LAA's board itself to perform a snap audit of its finances as well as hired lawyers to initiate proceedings both in Liberia and in the United States "in an effort to recoup monies illegally remitted to the US."
He said President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf endorsed the dismissal of RIA Managing Director Ellen Corkrum by the Board of Directors after she was accused of illegally remitting some US$300,000 to a bogus firm in the United States, allegedly causing a significant loss of money to the LAA.
"The President will not hesitate to take further actions as required as the plethora of probes, audits and investigations span out and more is revealed," said Minister Nagbe. He assured that anyone determined culpable in the matter, including himself, Bility or any member of the Board will bear the full responsibility of their action.
Minister Nagbe recalled that in keeping with the Board's determination to utilize the services of the best personnel, while assessment was being carried out at the RIA, it hired Madam Ellen Corkrum whom he said came "highly recommended with impressive credentials."
One of the first tasks the Managing Director was given was the implementation of the "Emergency Assessment Report" by NACO, which Minister Nagbe said called for urgent implementation of critical repair works on the airport's runway.
"In carrying out this activity, it was determined that Madam Corkrum breached her contract and caused significant loss of money to the Liberia Aviation Authority," Minister Nagbe noted.
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LACC these are things you people need to be running behind rather then having old boyfriend and girlfriend (Johnny Lewis) playing between two women now trying to get at each other. The entire system is engulf with corruption more work to be done.