The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has officially made a move on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Road Fund (NRF), Joseta Neufville-Wento, for alleged financial improprieties, procurement fraud, misuse of public money and acts of corruption, which was allegedly carried out by her administration in awarding contracts to bogus companies.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, the LACC extended an invitation to Neufville-Wento to provide clarification surrounding the allegations, given her position as Managing Director [CEO], and advised her to go along with her legal counsel and all relevant documents to support her testimony.
In the letter of invitation, the LACC observed, “Details of the allegations reveal that in 2023 the administration of the NRF entered into a contract valued at US$160,000 with a company, Asian Liberia Investment, Inc., to purchase and supply 1,000 pieces of solar lamps and poles to Grand Cape Mount County. The complaint alleged that you conspired with the company and purchased only 700 pieces of solar lamps and poles and delivered them to one Idrissa Massalay, rather than to the county’s authorities, which was allegedly converted to Massalay’s personal property; and that the remainder of poles and solar lamps cannot be accounted for.
“The allegations also revealed that you allegedly diverted US$410,000 intended for constructing the Madina—Cape Mount Highway to a bogus company called ‘BLINCO’, under the pretext of implementing a road construction project, when in fact the project was never implemented and the money cannot be accounted for.
“It is further alleged that you unilaterally instructed the comptroller to pay the amount of L$277,619 and US$1,400 from the NRF’s coffer, in favor of Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, a non-employee of the NRF, representing Bar and License fees for Cllr. Gbala.”
Meanwhile, the NRF boss is expected to appear at the LACC on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
