The acting Director General of the Sierra Leone Road Authority (SLRA) Mr. Munda Rogers has said in a press conference that “it is a criminal thing to sabotage the All Peoples Congress (APC) government”.
Speaking, yesterday at his office in Freetown he stated “I did not vote for APC but I am comfortable working with them and besides I am an Engineer not a politician.”
Mr. Rogers emphasized that he is “a supporter of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) but (his) position in SLRA is not political”, adding that people should not allow politics to interfere with their work.
“Put politics behind. Positions are not my priority but what you can do for your country. Once elections are over me and you should continue to work as brothers and sisters for the good of our country” said Mr. Rogers.
The acting Director General was reacting to a news paper publication on the front page of Independent Observer dated 17th and 18th June 2007 with captions “Foreigners fly in to take over SLRA” and “Too much Politics in SLRA” with particular reference to one George Beckley a Ghanaian and the Road Management Advisor at SLRA.
The acting Director General debunked that publication and described it as incorrect and malicious aimed at demeaning the personalities of his noble institution.
Mr. Rogers pointed out that “SLRA is a government institution; we believe that what ever is done here must be in the best interest of government.”
The attack on the personality of Mr. Beckley, Mr. Rogers said “we as an institution duly condemn the criticism on his character.”
He revealed that the vacancy of Director General at SLRA was in accordance with World Bank procedures which states that when a person is retired his or her position must be advertised locally and internationally, after which, he explained that a Board was set up to short list applicants and that Mr. Beckley was not there.
Mr. Rogers revealed that he is one of the applicants and he had undergone interview but that they are still waiting for the government to decide who to take over.
The acting Director General noted that, Mr. Beckley is a highly qualified engineer and he created the SLRA head office building in Freetown.
He also pointed out that the Road Management Advisor started the Masiaka and Peninsular road, and he also helped in the construction of other roads. “He is my mentor and icon. I have worked with him for 28 years, he’s got a whole lot of experience and he has impacted knowledge in SLRA” said the acting Director General.
Mr. Rogers maintained that Mr. Beckley is a fine gentleman who has worked here for a couple of years in a senior management capacity as Director General, adding that his role has been unique and exceptional in the manner of advising the management on crucial decision making. We see him as an asset, so we have no reason to cry him down for any mishap or otherwise.”
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