IPNEWS: The House of Representatives has summoned Sekou H. Dukuly, the Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), to appear before the Plenary on Thursday, July 11th. The summons aims to address discrepancies and unclear figures related to revenue and expenditure at the Port of Monrovia.
This decision follows a communication from Representative Frank Saah Foko of Montserrado County District 9. Rep. Foko highlighted inconsistencies in Mr. Dukuly’s accounts regarding over US$14 million generated in five months and a US$2 million contribution to the 2024 National Budget.
Rep. Foko noted that on June 25th, 2024, during a briefing at the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism, and in a post-dated June 26th, 2024, Mr. Dukuly claimed the NPA raised US$14 million in five months, with US$6 million in the bank and a US$2 million contribution to the National Budget.
“Honorable Speaker and colleagues, the NPA director asserted that under former President George Weah’s administration, the NPA only contributed $4 million to the government. However, Local Voices, a fact-checking group funded by USAID, found Mr. Dukuly’s statement to be completely erroneous,” Rep. Foko stated.
Rep. Foko expressed concern over the lack of transparency, noting that while Mr. Dukuly boasts of a $2 million contribution and $6 million in the entity’s account, over $6 million remains unaccounted for or may have been spent on unspecified ventures that do not benefit the Liberian people.
“Currently, our schools are in disrepair, hospitals lack medication, and roads are in terrible condition, yet a government entity allegedly expended $6 million in six months with no accountability,” Rep. Foko added.
After reading and debating the communication on the floor, a motion by Rep. Clarence Gahr of Margibi County District #5 was accepted. Consequently, the NPA Director is required to appear before the House of Representatives on Thursday, July 11th, to provide clarity on these financial matters.
