Monrovia, Liberia] In a significant development, the Director for Technical Services at the National WASH Commission, Mr. Prince D. Kreplah, has come forward with serious allegations of procurement corruption and financial misconduct within the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC), led by Chief Executive Officer Mr. George W.K. Yarngo. The claims, detailed in a letter to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), highlight a disturbing pattern of mismanagement and fraudulent practices that demand immediate investigation.
Mr. Kreplah, who serves as the Director of Program Planning and Technical Services, outlined several breaches of Public Financial Management regulations, alleging pervasive misconduct under Mr. Yarngo’s leadership. Key accusations include:
1. Misappropriation of Funds:
Kreplah alleged that goods and services allocated for the WASH Commission were procured using compromised delivery notes, with approved items being redirected to unauthorized civil works. He suggests that funds intended for public service have been diverted for personal gain.
2. Fuel Procurement Issues:
Kreplah noted that the commission reportedly allocated USD 20,000 for fuel for a standby generator, despite a nearly uninterrupted electricity supply from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). He claims only 1% of the allocation was necessary, yet documentation indicates that the entire amount was spent, supported by falsified records.
3. Cleaning Services Fraud:
An additional USD 30,000 was designated for cleaning materials and services, including fumigation. However, Kreplah asserted that no such services were rendered during his tenure, and the purchased cleaning materials were insufficiently stocked in the commission’s warehouse.
4. Improper Financial Practices:
The letter also highlights instances where checks were issued in employees’ names from the operational account without proper agreements with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
In his letter to the LACC, Mr. Kreplah emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation to safeguard government resources and restore public trust. He mentioned that several senior management team members have voiced similar concerns but feel their warnings have been ignored under Mr. Yarngo’s administration.
Addressing a news conference, Kreplah invoked the legal principle, “He who seeks equity must come with clean hands,” suggesting that if Mr. Yarngo previously condemned misconduct by former employees, he should be equally accountable for similar actions under his leadership.
Kreplah expressed concerns about his personal safety following these revelations. He claimed that since Mr. Yarngo assumed the role of CEO, several employees, including those with political affiliations, have been wrongfully dismissed without just cause or due process. The affected positions include:
- Director of Finance
- Director for Tariff Settings
- Comptroller
- Regulation Officer
- Administrative Officers
- Executive Secretary to the former Commissioner
- Three Compliance Officers
Kreplah added that even employees who left for study leave were unjustly dismissed. He described Mr. Yarngo as a “questionable B.Sc holder” lacking requisite knowledge in the sector, relying heavily on assistants to perform his duties.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Commission has dismissed all claims made by Kreplah. In response to the allegations, Executive Director Mr. George Yarngo acknowledged the dismissals but stated that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) had conducted investigations and requested the removal of certain staff members.
“At the moment, there is an ongoing investigation at the CSA. The CSA previously investigated and recommended the dismissal, which included Prince Kreplah,” Mr. Yarngo told reporters.
Regarding allegations of fund misapplication, Mr. Yarngo denied any wrongdoing, labeling the claims as a scheme by certain individuals within the commission. He pledged to combat any acts of corruption within the entity, asserting that he would never engage in financial malpractices.
He clarified that no procurement is carried out without the explicit consent of the Internal Auditor from the Internal Audit Agency (IAA). The WASH Commission also refuted claims of document falsification to allocate unbudgeted funds. They explained that the only reallocated money, approved by the Ministry of Finance, was initially intended for vehicle purchases but was redirected to building renovations.
“We can’t be driving new cars while the building remains dirty and unpleasant. We requested MFDP to transfer the vehicle purchase funds to building renovation,” Mr. Yarngo stated.
Amid these troubling developments, Kreplah has called on the Liberian government to provide him with security, claiming that his life is at risk due to what he described as a “witch hunt” orchestrated by Mr. Yarngo, a former police officer.
