President George Manneh Weah has elevated two employees of the National Housing Authority (NHA) until further notice from the government, a press release from the agency said in Monrovia on Tuesday.
Madam Tonia D. Johnson, head of the Human Resource, will now lead the NHA as Officer-in-Charge and her deputy is Mr. C. Raphael During, Deputy Officer-in-Charge.
The two elevated employees will replace former managing director Duannah Siryon and former Deputy Managing Director for administration, Tugbeh C. Tugbeh, who are in court on bribery charges.
According to the release, Madam Johnson has worked at the NHA for more nearly ten years and has also worked under several former managing director, while Mr. During has worked at the NHA for the last one and half years.
The two former NHA officials are facing charges, among them economic sabotage, and financial solicitation, in a recent contract deal with GELPAZ Liberia that signed an MOU with the NHA to have begun the construction of 50,000 local cost housing units in the Liberia.
President Weah’s letter to Madam Johnson, dated Dec. 20, 2018, and signed by Minister & Chief of Staff to the President, Nathaniel F. McGill, noted: “In consideration of the current situation at the National Housing Authority (NHA), the President (Dr. George Weah), has instructed that you serve as Officer-in-Charge, and therefore you assume the tasks and functional responsibilities of the officer thereof, until further notice.”
“His Excellency expresses trust in your ability to make a meaningful contribution in your area of responsibility, as we strive to move our country forward,” the letter added.
President Weah’ letter to Deputy Officer-in-Charge, also dated Dec. 20, 2018, to Mr. C. Raphael During re-echoed the president as saying, “In consideration of the current situation at the National Housing Authority (NHA), the President has instructed that you serve as Deputy Officer-in-Charge, and therefore assume the tasks and functional responsibilities of the office thereof, until further notice.
“His Excellency expresses trust in your ability to make a meaningful contribution in your area of responsibility, as we strive to move our country forward.”
Responding, both Madam Johnson and Mr. During expressed appreciation for their preferment and assured him that they would live up to expectation.
“With my years of experienced at the NHA,” Madam Johnson said, “I assure President Weah that I will justify the confidence he has reposed in me to work together for mama Liberia.”
Said Mr. During, “This is a personal challenge to me and my President can be rest assured that I will do my utmost to ensure that we strive to move our country forward.”