By Laurina B Lormia
The National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia has strongly denied allegations of a conflict of interest involving an amount of US$ 53,000, and described the media reports linking the institution to the alleged financial misconduct as “diabolical lies and baselessly unfounded.”
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the National Port Authority (NPA) found itself in the spotlight following a local media report. The report alleged that the NPA’s management, under the leadership of Mr. Sekou Dukuly, is embroiled in a conflict-of-interest scandal.
According to the report, they indicated that two checks, one for $38,500 and the other for $15,000, were issued to Labor Minister Cooper Kruah’s Henries, Kruah & Associate Law Firm, totaling $53,000 for “court-related matters.”
The funds were compensation for defending the NPA in a case involving 10 employees dismissed by Mr. Dukuly, who had filed for “unlawful dismissals” at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia on March 29, 2024.
However, many have argued and suggested that this action, involving a government employee, violates professional standards.
Responding to the local media’s alleged conflict of interest report, the Deputy Communication Director in the office of the NPA Managing Director, Mr. Jusu Kamara termed the allegation as false and misleading, adding that it has no iota of truth in it.
According to him, the legal service relationship between the National Port Authority, Henris, Krauh, and Associates backdates as far as 2021.
“This relationship came into being by the former Managing Director of the NPA, Mr. Bill Tweahway, at which time the firm was hired for legal services through consultancy.”
He added, the allegations against the NPA concerning the Institution’s engagement in an alleged conflict of interest lack facts and are baselessly unfounded. With the quality of the information provided above, is clear that what they are doing is just selfish and intended to tarnish the good working of the Managing Director, Mr. Dukuly, and the team.
He further indicated that, the Henries, Kruah, and Associates is a partnership that involves over four lawyers of which Cllr. Cooper Kruah Labor Minister had been one but has since declined his status with the Law Firm upon his nomination and confirmation as Minister of Labour of Liberia.
“How is the current Management Team of the NPA decision continue the legal consultancy of the Henries, Kruah and Associates Law Firm to the NPA construed as a” Conflict of Interest,” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sekou Dukuly, the managing director of NPA, is widely regarded among members of the ruling Unity Party as an advocate of good governance, openness, and transparency.
He concluded that, Cllr. Kruah is not the sole owner of the Henries, Krauh, and Associates Law Firm, and the NPA hiring the Firm for Legal Consultancy doesn’t in any way contravene the laws of the country. It is our sincere wish that those doing that will prioritize in-depth investigations before sharing Sensational News.”
