By Bill W. Cooper
The National Port Authority (NPA), the gateway to Liberia’s economy, is said to be currently embroiled in a scandal involving its new Managing Director, Sekou H. Dukuly, who has been linked to the illegal transporting of 20ft containers of rice.
According to the report, the 20ft containers loaded with rice were arrested by the Liberia National Police (LNP) while leaving the Freeport of Monrovia late Friday night, and the matter is now being investigated by the police.
The allegation has since sent shockwaves amongst the citizenry, raising serious concerns about corruption and misconduct within the NPA headed by Dukuly, who has spent less than a month at the entity.
The controversy began when reports surfaced that several 20ft containers of rice had been illegally transported through the Port without proper documentation or authorization, and under the cover of darkness, bypassing customs inspections and other regulatory procedures.
According to our source, it was however discovered by the LNP following the confiscation of the containers that MD Dukuly was allegedly in the know of illegally transporting containers with the involvement of a rice importer, only identified as Fouta, from the Port at midnight.
Our source hinted further that the LNP has now launched an active investigation into the matter, as well as detaining the containers.
But in response to the allegation, the NPA concurred with the ongoing investigation by the LNP concerning the confiscation of containers of rice, but however attributed the crime to individuals they described as ‘some unscrupulous Individuals’.
In a release signed by the Port Public Relations Director, Malcolm W Scott, it said, “The Management of the National Port Authority is aware of an ongoing investigation regarding a consignment of rice that was trucked out of its facility by some unscrupulous Individuals.”
A press conference is being arranged for Monday, March 11, 2024 ahead of full details and findings from the entire investigation, and the media and general public can be assured of an impartial probe into such condemnable incident.
Also, the perpetrators and all those linked will be prosecuted, consistent with findings from the investigation; “We also want to assure the people of Liberia that the Managing Director of the Port and the entire leadership will not be subjected to any form of such blackmail,” Scott noted.
Despite the management’s assurances, many are skeptical about the integrity of the investigation, accusing the NPA and government of trying to cover up the scandal and protect the image of the Joseph Boakai Government that has spent a month and few weeks in leadership.
As the investigation into the illegal transporting of rice containers continues, the NPA is facing mounting pressure to address the issue transparently and hold those responsible accountable to avoid reoccurrence.
Also, it is important that the NPA act swiftly and decisively to address the scandal and restore public trust, as failure to do so could have lasting repercussions for the NPA and the entire Unity Party government that has committed itself to fighting corruption.
