by: Uriahs Faith Nyepan
An investigation conducted by DN-News Liberia has uncovered alleged wrongful employment practices and possible financial mismanagement under the leadership of the Acting Director General of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), Mr. Theodore Momo.
The probe revealed that six individuals—Elijah Sackie, George Gommo, Abraham Karnley, Ellen Whyte, Sekeh Togbah, and Nartu Kortu—falsely represented themselves as NBC employees during a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) exercise at the APM Terminal. According to multiple sources, these individuals were reportedly appointed by the Acting Director General himself.
In an interview with DN-News Liberia, Mr. Momo acknowledged that the six individuals received appointment letters from his office and claimed their Personal Action Notices (PANs) were pending approval at the Civil Service Agency (CSA). “They have valid appointment letters from my office,” he stated, “and issues with the CSA are being sorted out.”
However, CSA Director Josiah Joekai refuted these claims, clarifying that the six individuals are not listed on NBC’s official payroll and are not recognized as government employees.
The M&E exercise ran from May 5 to June 5, 2025. While Mr. Momo described the individuals as volunteers assisting NBC staff, he also confirmed that they received letters of appointment and were included in the field activities.
Documents reviewed by DN-News Liberia reveal that USD 10,000 allocated for the APM Terminal M&E exercise was disbursed in cash to 25 operatives—six of whom were not legitimate employees—raising concerns of a violation of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, which mandates that government disbursements be made by cheque, not cash.
Further complicating matters, Deputy Director General for Concessions, Cllr. B. Rachell Yarbah Duobah, signed off on payment vouchers totaling USD 10,615, including voucher #2314 (USD 6,000, check #00343224 dated April 24, 2025) and voucher #2316 (USD 4,615, check #0034322). However, she has denied authorizing the payments, despite her signature appearing on the vouchers. Mr. Momo declined to comment on her involvement when contacted.
Sources within NBC told DN-News Liberia that Deputy DG Duobah does not have the authority to sign or disburse funds. That responsibility lies solely with the Finance Department, casting doubt on her denial and suggesting possible internal malpractice.
According to fiscal protocols, all M&E financial transactions—especially Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA)—should be processed by the Finance Department with oversight from Internal Control. Individual checks must be issued following internal audit verification. Yet in this case, two major withdrawals approved by the Acting DG, with cheques issued in the name of the DDG for Concessions, clearly violated accounting standards and internal control procedures.
This also points to potential breaches of Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) regulations on DSA disbursements.
Moreover, DN-News Liberia has learned that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) launched an investigation into Acting DG Momo in April, focusing on allegations of misappropriated funds, including LRD 2 million in DSA and USD 1.3 million meant for wrongful dismissal settlements—an amount said to exceed NBC’s annual budget.
Other flagged concerns include unauthorized use of fuel and lubricants during M&E activities, and the failure to produce NBC’s FY2024 Annual Report, despite allocated funding.
Adding to the controversy is the disappearance of a UNDP-donated Land Cruiser valued at USD 45,000. Mr. Momo has blamed the vehicle’s loss on his predecessor.
