Published: January 15, 2025
MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has fired two top staff members and suspended others after uncovering a scheme to steal and illegally sell 11 government vehicles, in a bold move to combat corruption within the institution.
Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan, the Director General of NPHIL, announced the dismissal of George Watson, Special Assistant to the Deputy Director for Administration, and Pewee Quaqua, Director of Logistics, following findings from a comprehensive investigation. Darlington Bah, Deputy Director for Logistics, has been suspended indefinitely, while drivers Alexander Jisay, Jerome Ponney, and Kennedy Gayflor face three-month suspensions without pay for their roles in the scandal.
The investigation, conducted by a seven-member committee that included representatives from the Liberia National Police, the Internal Audit Agency, senior NPHIL staff, and the Senior Management Team, uncovered the unauthorized removal and illegal sale of the vehicles from NPHIL’s compound.
The committee has also recommended that President Joseph Boakai terminate the Deputy Director General for Administration, Dr. Adams K. Lincoln, for allegedly orchestrating the theft and using falsified General Service Agency (GSA) documents to claim personal ownership of one of the vehicles.
“Corruption will have no place at the NPHIL under my watch, as this may undermine the progress we are making here,” declared Dr. Nyan. “We will strive to maintain the integrity and standards of the NPHIL.”
The dismissed employees have been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for further legal proceedings, including efforts to recover the stolen government property.
Dr. Nyan called on the NPHIL Board of Directors and the Ministry of Justice to back the institution’s anti-corruption measures and align with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
“These actions are necessary to protect the integrity of our institution and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of the people,” Dr. Nyan emphasized.
The NPHIL leadership’s bold stance is a clear warning against corruption and signals a commitment to accountability in Liberia’s public institutions.
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