In a heartfelt and candid response, George Yarngo, the CEO of Liberia’s National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC), has addressed the recent events surrounding his arrest by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). Yarngo expressed his frustration with the way the situation was handled, describing it as unjust and embarrassing. He also reiterated his innocence and called for a full audit to ensure transparency and accountability.
Yarngo criticized the manner in which he was taken into custody, calling it an unnecessary and humiliating ordeal. He believes the aggressive approach by the LACC created a false perception of guilt, even before any evidence was presented or due process followed. “The way I was treated made it seem like I was already guilty in the eyes of the public,” Yarngo said. “This is not how justice should work.”
At the heart of the investigation are allegations of financial mismanagement involving unaccounted funds totaling over USD 50,000. These funds are said to be linked to the Commission’s operations, raising concerns about how public resources are being managed. Yarngo, however, insists that he is innocent and that the allegations are either misunderstandings or part of a larger agenda.
Yarngo explained that he had informed the LACC about his unavailability on March 13, 2025, the date he was summoned to appear, due to pressing official duties. He emphasized that his absence was not an act of defiance but a result of prior commitments that required his attention. “I communicated my unavailability to the LACC in advance,” Yarngo stated. “This was not about avoiding accountability, it was about fulfilling my responsibilities to the Commission and the people of Liberia.”
Despite the controversy, Yarngo remains steadfast in his commitment to transparency. He has called for a full audit of the Commission’s finances to ensure that every dollar is accounted for. “I support a thorough and independent audit,” he said. “Let the numbers speak for themselves. I have nothing to hide, and I am confident that the truth will exonerate me and the Commission.”
Yarngo also urged the public to remain calm and not to rush to judgment. He emphasized that the WASH Commission’s work is too important to be derailed by what he believes are baseless allegations. “Our mission is to provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services to the people of Liberia,” he said. “That mission must continue, no matter what.”
Yarngo’s arrest and the subsequent fallout have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the WASH Commission, but he remains determined to clear his name and restore public trust. He has pledged to cooperate fully with the LACC’s investigation while continuing to lead the Commission’s efforts to improve water and sanitation services across the country.
