Published: January 19, 2026
MONROVIA — The Liberian Senate’s Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, chaired by Sen. Wellington Geevon Smith, is set to open confirmation proceedings for J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., the director general-designate of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, marking a key moment for the future direction of Liberia’s fisheries sector.
Saygbe, nominated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has served as acting director general since May 2025. His confirmation hearing will examine his qualifications, performance and readiness to lead NaFAA as the government intensifies efforts to modernize fisheries management and promote sustainable development.
A seasoned development professional, Saygbe brings more than 17 years of experience spanning private sector development, agriculture and fisheries. He holds a Master of Public Administration, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, along with multiple professional certifications in fisheries management, project management, financial inclusion and sustainable development. His credentials include Project Management Professional certification and specialized training from the Nature Conservancy and the U.S.-based Federal Acquisition Institute.
During his tenure as acting director general, Saygbe presided over a period of institutional stabilization at NaFAA. He introduced initiatives aimed at restoring staff morale and professionalism, including structured retreats, weekly technical planning meetings and recognition programs that honored outstanding employees. His administration reinstated staff previously dismissed under questionable circumstances and settled outstanding wage obligations, steps that officials say helped reinforce fairness and institutional integrity.
Fiscal discipline was also tightened, with management curbing wasteful spending and investing in staff welfare. Under Saygbe’s leadership, NaFAA procured a 32-seater staff bus — the first since the authority’s establishment seven years ago — improving punctuality and coordination for field inspections and outreach. The agency also secured health insurance coverage for more than 200 staff members and life insurance for sea-going fisheries observers.
Financial compliance featured prominently in Saygbe’s reform agenda. NaFAA remitted more than $252,000 in staff withholding taxes to the Liberia Revenue Authority and resumed National Social Security and Welfare Corporation contributions after four years of noncompliance. The authority also transitioned its accounting system to International Financial Reporting Standards, strengthening transparency and audit readiness.
On the policy front, Saygbe oversaw the development of a semi-industrial fisheries management plan and a decentralization framework. He also secured presidential approval for a 25 percent reduction in artisanal fishing license fees, a move aimed at easing costs for small-scale fishers and improving compliance. The operationalization of the Fisheries Information Management System cut import permit processing times from about a month to 48 hours, significantly improving efficiency.
NaFAA’s infrastructure and industrialization drive accelerated under Saygbe’s watch. The authority reconstructed the Klay Hatchery to serve as a national hub for fingerlings and fish feed, secured land for regional offices and artisanal landing sites, and advanced plans for a four-story fisheries complex. Liberia also introduced its first fiberglass semi-industrial fishing vessels and hosted its inaugural Fish Market Day, expanding local trade and market visibility.
Investment promotion and donor engagement were reinforced through the launch of the National Fisheries Investment Conference and the development of a 10-year strategic plan, a national aquaculture strategy and a public-private partnership framework. Saygbe’s administration reactivated a $20 million OPEC Fund-supported project, facilitated international training for staff and exchange programs for artisanal fishers, and restored donor confidence through a coordinated fisheries development partners platform.
In a bid to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, NaFAA introduced real-time vessel monitoring technology and facilitated Liberia’s accession to the Fisheries Transparency Initiative, along with adoption of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. Climate resilience efforts included the construction of climate-smart artisanal canoes and the distribution of outboard engines equipped with GPS units to improve safety and efficiency at sea.
Discussion about this post