Strong Warning to Boakai -STAND Threatens Stiff Action In Planned NPA Dismissals

MONROVIA – The National Port Authority’s plan to terminate the services of over 450 civil servants and contractors has ignited outrage and strong condemnation from the civil society group, STAND.

Denouncing what it called “blatant act of political victimization”, STAND is issuing a firm warning and vowing to deploy every legal and political measure necessary to resist what it calls an unjust and orchestrated purge of hardworking Liberians.

STAND which said it is armed with evidence has accused the NPA, under the leadership of Managing Director Hon. Sekou Dukuly, of executing a politically motivated purge disguised as an organizational overhaul, “exposing the hypocrisy of President Boakai’s government on youth unemployment—a commitment he reaffirmed at a recent cabinet meeting”.

According to Dukuly, upon taking office, he inherited an “overcrowded workforce” and has been tasked by the NPA Board of Directors to create a “lean and efficient” institution.

Despite these claims, STAND contends that his own hiring record raises questions about the legitimacy of the restructuring process.

Dukuly, according to the civil society organization, has dismissed numerous workers perceived to be political opponents, while simultaneously hiring several individuals with close ties to the Unity Party, of which President Boakai is a member.

This selective hiring and firing pattern suggests a politically charged agenda rather than a legitimate effort to improve the NPA’s efficiency, the group said in a release issued yesterday.

“In addition, Dukuly’s admission that he is acting under the instructions of the NPA Board of Directors, led by Unity Party Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh, has raised serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the political motivations behind the planned dismissals,” STAND indicates as it says it “sees these moves as part of a broader effort by the ruling party to abuse and consolidate power by removing perceived opponents from the public sector”.

STAND strongly condemns this politically driven purge and warns that any attempt to dismiss these workers will not go unchallenged. The organization views these actions as a clear violation of the rights of civil servants and an unjust attack on individuals who are simply trying to provide for their families.

Meanwhile, the civil society movement STAND reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending the people, declaring that it will not stand idly by while over 450 workers are unjustly targeted for their political affiliations.

“In STAND’s objective assessment, this action not only violates basic ethical standards but also constitutes a calculated witch-hunt designed to silence dissent and replace dedicated public servants with Unity Party loyalists,” the organization charged, pledging to “persist in its fight against this unjust purge, making it clear that any partisan attempt to violate the rights of civil servants in Liberia will not be tolerated”. 

It added: “This warning serves as a rallying cry for all concerned citizens and organizations to unite against political persecution and demand fair treatment for all public servants, regardless of their political affiliations.”