Monrovia – Angeline and Gabriel Nyanti could not make their vacation trip to Ghana when the tickets they had allegedly purchased from L’Aphie Travels and Tours bounced on the counter at the airport.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
The couple purchased their tickets on October 25, 2018, and was scheduled to travel on December 22, 2018 but upon their arrival at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), the couple was told that they were not booked for the flight.
“During the regular check-in exercises at the airport, we were told our booking reference is non-existent. Immediately, I phoned them, but to no avail.”
Nyanti in an interview with FrontPageAfrica said the action by the agency brought embarrassment to them and they will not let it go outside the law.
He said when the incident occurred the agency was immediately contacted and after a while, a man identified as Lewis Pony Wah, who is the managing director, promised that the issue would be resolved immediately.
According to Nyanti, Wah told him that the agency would have found a way for them to travel on Monday, December 23, 2018, but there was no confirmation as promised.
He also said no refund or issuance of a new ticket was done but rather the agency has just gone mute.
“I tried contacting Alpha Tah, the CEO and Founder of L’Aphie Travels and Tours, her phone rang endlessly. She has not given me a call back yet,” he narrated.
According to him, they had to pay an extra US$150 to cancel the hotel that was booked to lodge in for their stay in Ghana.
“We booked the hotel ahead of time and paid US$120 as part of the hotel rules.”
Nyanti has called on the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Liberian government’s arm having oversight, to investigate the agency because the situation is not just unique to him.
He alleged that 14 persons are currently experiencing the same situation of not traveling.
“This is a group of organized criminals; it is not a technical glitch, they are aware of it. Police should investigate and if they are liable, they should not be made to walk free.
He said his wife is so angry for the embarrassment brought to them by the travel and tour agency.
The Liberia National Police has confirmed that two employees of the agency have been arrested and are undergoing investigation.
The police officer said they may declare managers of the agency wanted and are on the run.
The police confirmed that the two suspects are the ticket attendants, who told investigators that the money was turned over to their boss and that they only work for them.
The police have alluded that if the managers of L’Aphie Travels and Tours refuse to appear for investigation, they will charge the two and send them to court after the Christmas while the others are being pursued.
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