Transport Minister Eugene Lenn Nagbe has described the work of dismissed Managing Director of the Robert International Airport (RIA) as 'significant loss of money to the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA).

Speaking at the Ministry of Information weekly press briefing last week, Minister Nagbe said that the Board of Directors of the LAA, been highly convinced by the dismissed Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Madam Ellen Corkrum's 'impressive credentials' and recommendations, hired her to help manage the RIA.

According to Minister Nagbe, as part of her task as managing director of the RIA , Madam Corkrum was asked by the Board of LAA to undertake the implementation of the 'Emergency Assessment Report' by NACO, which he said called for urgent implementation of critical repair works on the runway, but said that the contract was not executed accordingly.

Minister Nagbe said: "In carrying out this activity, it was determined that Madam Corkrum breached her contract and caused significant loss of money to the LAA."

Minister Nagbe stated that investigations have established that Madam Corkrum 'illegally' transferred US$300,000 to a company in the United States which he said breached the contract given her.

Minister Nagbe also blamed Madam Corkrum's wrongful act to what he calls 'disorganized administration', because according him Madam Corkrum as head of the RIA, never had deputies, something he said made it easy for her to carry on such act.

Meanwhile, Minister Nagbe said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has endorsed the LAA Board's decision to dismiss Madam Corkrum,and has hence instructed further actions because of the possible violation of the Public Procurement and concession Commission (PPCC) Act, and the Public Financial management Law.

"The Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC) has begun a probe into the matter and has already invited the chairman of the Board of Directors, Musa Bility, who has appeared before the LACC to assist with their probe," Minister Nagbe stated.

He also said that the Ministry of Justice has been requested to investigate apparent violations of the PFM and PPCC laws of Liberia. "Additionally, the General Auditing Commission has been commissioned to start an Audit of the LAA.

The LAA itself has commissioned a private firm to perform a snap audit of its finances and have hired lawyers to initiate legal proceedings both in Liberia and in the United States against the RIA management in an effort to recoup monies illegally remitted to the US," Minister Nagbe asserted.