MONROVIA – The newly appointed acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Cyrus Saygbe, has vowed to audit the administration of his predecessor, Madam Emma Metieh-Glassco, citing financial irregularities and governance concerns.
Speaking on Monday, March 24, 2025, during his official takeover at NaFAA, Saygbe disclosed that the agency’s current bank balance stands at just over US$450,000, despite having received more than US$4 million in the 2024 national budget. He also highlighted serious financial obligations, including overdue remittances to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and unresolved salary payments.
“The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority was tasked with remitting US$1.276 million to the LRA but failed to meet that target,” Saygbe stated. “We have instructed the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) to conduct an audit of the past administration.”
His announcement comes in the wake of Glassco’s controversial removal from office. Before her official dismissal, President Joseph Boakai had suspended her in February following a recommendation from the NaFAA Board of Directors, which cited managerial and financial inefficiencies. A separate recommendation from the Office of the Ombudsman also called for her suspension, alleging that she had displayed “insulting behavior” during an official investigation.
Glassco’s leadership had been the subject of growing discontent among NaFAA staff. In May 2024, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Workers Association (NaFAAWA) issued a vote of no confidence in her, accusing her of poor leadership, financial mismanagement, and workplace harassment. This dissatisfaction led to a three-day go-slow protest in July, which only ended after the Ministry of Labor intervened.
Despite attempts by labor authorities to mediate the dispute, Glassco reportedly refused to attend meetings aimed at resolving workers’ grievances. By September 2024, the Labor Ministry issued a default ruling against her, ordering compliance with workers’ demands—a directive she allegedly ignored. Her continued defiance ultimately led to the Board of Directors’ decision to recommend her suspension.
Glassco, however, has pushed back against her removal, arguing that political motives overshadowed her accomplishments. In a public statement, she lamented what she called an abrupt dismissal, stating, “I thought I would have had time to say goodbye to you all, but politics has interrupted our wonderful plans.”
She defended her tenure, pointing to what she described as “unprecedented achievements” in the fisheries sector. These include securing over US$100 million in international funding, implementing regulatory reforms, and launching infrastructure projects such as the Mesurado Fishing Pier. She also cited the establishment of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences BSc program at the University of Liberia as a key milestone.
