By Monrovia, Liberia – A World Bank review mission reveals that the Liberia Sustainable Management Fisheries Project (LSMFP) officials misapplied US$831,000 from a $3 million budget for the construction of the National headquarters. The funds were used for procurement of vehicles, motorbikes, public awareness billboards, and electric generators.
Background investigation has established that these vehicles were reportedly used to support the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) campaign during the recent presidential elections, reflecting a blatant misuse of project resources for political purposes.
The review further notes that “of the US$ 3.0 million allotted for this activity, funds totaling US$ 831,000 were instead used to purchase six cars, two motorcycles, billboards and other materials for public awareness, laboratory equipment, solar power, and generators.” This deviation must be fixed as part of the planned project restructure, and the Bank must be given an explanation.
Under the direction of NaFAA authorities, the mission, which took place from April 17–26, 2024, exposed concerning activities that posed serious risks to the development and integrity of Liberia’s fishing industry. The memoire states that the mission’s goals were to follow up on fiduciary and Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements, review the status of compliance with legal covenants, address implementation-related issues, assess progress towards achieving the targets outlined in the Results Framework, and discuss the upcoming Mid-Term Review and Restructuring mission.
As launched in September 2021, the LSMFP seeks to guarantee strong project management, boost value-added, assist the growth of aquaculture, and improve the management and governance of Liberia’s fisheries. But a number of problems, chief among them being poor financial management and a lack of accountability, have seriously hampered the project’s advancement. Furthermore, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was used to promote CDC-led campaigns by distributing boat engines meant for fisherman to important political figures instead. Likewise, supplies for post-harvest facilities given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as part of a sustainable fisheries initiative were given to people who voted in favor of the CDC.
The mission revealed that internal fiduciary problems were the cause of considerable delays and variations in a number of project components. The Director General, Emma Metieh Glassco, is required to certify certain contracts, which is causing significant delays in the procurement process and significant setbacks in meeting project milestones.
“Procurement processes at the PIU are experiencing significant delays, particularly in finalizing contract awards. It was noted that contracts, which according to the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) should be signed by the Project Coordinator, are being attested by the Director General, which sometimes takes many months. The mission requested the project to follow the process laid down in the approved PIM,” the World Bank maintained.
Concerns about social and environmental compliance were also raised, especially in relation to the development of the University of Liberia’s (UL) fisheries campus. Without approved Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), contractors started civil works, demonstrating the disorderly and uncontrolled atmosphere within NaFAA. Furthermore, the continued affiliation of NaFAA with illicit, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations keeps Liberia on the European Union’s “yellow card” list. The DG’s participation in the illicit transshipments of boats engaged in remote water fishing without taking punitive action worsens the situation in spite of EU advisories and impedes the advancement of sustainable fisheries management.
The project’s financial management has received a fairly bad rating due to its failure to account for $34,894 that was provided to employees for vacation abroad. These problems have been made worse by the Project Accountant’s medical absence, which has severely limited the PIU’s capacity to fulfill crucial fiduciary obligations.
The project’s performance rating has been reduced by the World Bank to a troubling level of “Moderately Satisfactory” due to these substantial flaws. The mission’s results highlight the critical need for quick restructuring and improved oversight in order to save the project and guarantee that its goals are fulfilled the fisheries industry in Liberia, which is essential to the nation’s economic and food security, has suffered greatly as a result of the allegations of corruption and poor management within NaFAA. To restore the project’s integrity and efficacy, the international community and stakeholders must hold the NaFAA leadership responsible and make sure that corrective actions are carried out quickly.
The LSMFP is a World Bank-funded program designed to encourage the growth of aquaculture, guarantee efficient project management, raise the value addition of fish and fish products, and strengthen the management and governance of Liberia’s fisheries. September 2021 marked the start of the project, and September 2026 is when it is expected to conclude.
By: Staff Writer
