Monrovia – George Yarngo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC), was arrested on March 19 by agents from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), following his failure to comply with a previous summons regarding serious allegations of financial misconduct.
By: Willie Tokpah, Edwin Genoway and Yawah Jaivey
The LACC had formally invited Yarngo for questioning on March 13 about allegations of misappropriating public funds allocated for the operation of the NWASHC.
The investigation focuses on several claims, including the mismanagement of a $20,000 allocation intended for fuel purchases for the Commission’s standby generator, with no fuel reportedly purchased, and the funds remaining unaccounted for.
Further allegations against Yarngo include approving the disbursement of $6,000 for generator maintenance, but no repairs were conducted, and the money remains untraceable. Additionally, the LACC claims that a $30,000 allocation for cleaning materials and fumigation services was not utilized, with no evidence of the procurement of materials or services.
Yarngo failed to appear at the LACC’s scheduled meeting on March 17, and subsequent attempts to contact him were reportedly met with dismissive responses. This led to his arrest on March 19, when LACC agents, backed by police, entered the NWASHC offices and detained him.
In response to his arrest, Yarngo expressed disappointment in the way the LACC handled the situation, criticizing the manner of the investigation and the public perception it has created.
He clarified that he did not deliberately avoid the LACC’s invitation but experienced a misunderstanding regarding the date. Yarngo also pointed out that the LACC’s visit to the NWASHC was unannounced and occurred without legal counsel, which he felt was inappropriate.
Yarngo reaffirmed the WASH Commission’s commitment to its mission, stating that the allegations would not tarnish the hard work and dedication of the organization.
He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the LACC and provide evidence to clear his name, while also assuring the public that the Commission remains focused on improving Liberia’s water, sanitation, and hygiene programs.
“I am confident that the truth will prevail, and I am ready to address the concerns raised by the LACC,” Yarngo said. “We will continue to work towards improving the WASH program and remain dedicated to our mission.”
LACC Completes 27 Corruption Investigations in 2024, Cites Lack of Specialized Court for Prosecution Delays
Meanwhile, the LACC has renewed its call for the establishment of a specialized Anti-Corruption Court to expedite the handling of corruption-related cases, following the release of its 2024 annual report.
The report, made public on March 18, outlined that the Commission completed 27 alleged corruption cases from 2023 to 2024, covering the total alleged embezzlement of US$47.718.227 across the multiple governmental sectors.
In a statement, the LACC noted that while it has concluded numerous investigations, the process of securing indictments has been hindered by the overloaded Montserrado County court, which currently handles all corruption-related cases in the country.
The Commission stressed that the absence of a dedicated anti-corruption tribunal is impeding its ability to prosecute cases effectively.
The report highlights several high-profile investigations into allegations of fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, procurement malpractice, and theft. Among the institutions investigated were the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), and the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC)—and the Booker Washington Institute (BWI).
Others include the Ministry of Agriculture and Gbarpolu County Administration, among others.
The report also detailed corruption cases in healthcare, infrastructure, and finance, uncovering widespread procurement fraud and misallocation of funds.