Weeks after the sinking of the Niko Ivanka vessel, which led to the death and missing of several Liberians onboard, the Joint Committee on Maritime and Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veterans Affairs has described as a blunder on the part of the Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Bill Twehway, to have disclosed his ignorance of the ship.
Giving the preliminary report to the Joint Committee on Maritime and Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veterans Affairs, on the concerns surrounding the sinking of the locally registered Niko Ivanka vessel, the Committee’s Chair, Lofa County Senator Stephen Zargo, stressed that the NPA management did not do well to avoid the sinking of the ship, adding that the sunken vessel did not have an Alternative Information System.
Senator Zargo also claims that it was established during their investigation that the management of the National Port Authority reportedly failed to provide an accurate record about the vessel; something that apparently created complications.
According to Senator Zargo, when Twehway was asked about a report regarding the Niko Ivanka before and after its departure, the NPA boss reportedly averred that he knew nothing about the ship, questioning Mr. Twehway and how could he say he knew nothing about the happenings at the site he manages.
Senator Zargo also admonished the National Port Authority Managing Director to do better for the safety of lives and properties in the country.
The Lofa County Senator further promised that in the next three days the Committee will come up with a comprehensive report to the plenary of the Liberian Senate for further action.
At the same time, Senator Zargo is calling on his fellow legislators to build the current capacity of the country’s defense system, stressing that the security of the country is seriously faced with several challenges.
He also stressed the need for more funds to be allocated to the military, noting that the Defense Ministry is not happy about how matters are handled at the NPA.
