MONROVIA– Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) Managing Director, Ernest R. Hughes, has resumed duty after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai cleared him to return, urging staff to put divisions behind them and focus on performance following weeks of investigation into the agency’s governance.
By Jaheim [email protected]
In a brief engagement with his employees following his return, Hughes said he deliberately stayed away during the investigation to avoid “undue influence’’.
He expressed gratitude to the administrative staff for carrying on their duty in his absence.
“You took the mantle, you did not hesitate, and you continue to carry all the work, so I want to thank you,” he told the gathering.
Hughes acknowledged that the investigation had exposed divisions within the authority. “I saw there were three distinct groups of people that worked at LAA,” he said.
He added, “There were those who clearly drew a line and said we’re against this man, we want him out of here no matter what. Then there was the group who supported me. And then there was the group that said, you know, we don’t really care who’s there, who’s not there. We’ll work with them.”
Despite the tensions, Hughes emphasized the importance of reconciliation. “I hold nothing against anybody. Our purpose of being here is the work and the responsibility of this airport. We will continue to do that without favor,” he said.
He added that expectations would remain high regardless of past allegiances: “If you do not perform, it will be an issue regardless of what side you are on.”
Hughes also apologized for not communicating with staff before the corruption allegations, saying the silence fueled rumors.
“It was my responsibility as a leader to have sat down and talked with you. But I got confused and I got overwhelmed because I didn’t expect it. I want to apologize for that. And we’ll do our best going forward to communicate.”
The managing director described the episode as “a very good eye-opener” that allowed him to reflect on his leadership style.
He credited prayers and support from colleagues for helping him endure the process.
“Even though I knew with all the doubt in my mind that there was nothing corrupt in my behaviors, nothing that I did that was wrong, but this too, is Liberia, things can happen,” Hughes remarked.
He pledged transparency by sharing the official letter from the president’s office authorizing his return.
“So there can be no confusion in terms of what we’re here to do and what this is about,” he said.
The reinstatement follows President Boakai’s directive that Hughes resume duties after he was found to have no criminal wrongdoings while the Liberia Airport Authority undergoes governance reforms, including board restructuring and stricter performance oversight.
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