Buchanan New Port Director Inducted

BUCHANAN-Mr. Civicus Barsigiah, the man who was recently appointed director of the port of Buchanan, by National Port Authority Managing Director Bill Twehway, has been inducted into office. The ceremony took place during the weekend at the Buchanan port facility in Grand Bassa County.

Mr. Barsigiah, replaced Charles D. Gull, who admitted to preliminary investigation of stealing US$300,000 from the port. Mr. Gull later absconded after he was declared wanted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on charges of corruption.

In a brief induction speech which was inundated with gratitude, Mr. Barsigiah extolled President George Weah and Managing Director Twehway for the confidence to serve his country, while assuring he would work to provide sound leadership that would see transformation at the port.

“I’m grateful to this president for trusting me. I’m grateful to this man for seeing me as his son and brother. I’m grateful to this man for leaving all his responsibilities to become president of Liberia”, Barsigiah said.
He continued: “I’m grateful to Dr. Twehway who had not seen me before, who had not known me before. I know people must have sad bad things about me. But been a father, he took me in. I served as executive management consultant and now manager for the port of Buchanan”.

Buchanan port operations director, Oretha Myers, who had been acting as port manager, used the occasion to rubbish rumors that she supported a group that opposed news of Barsigiah’s appointment.
“I want to say a few words. I want to say that, there was news that I had gathered some men to ridicule you. It’s not true. I promise to work with you”

Barsigiah and the operations director were gowned in recognition of their services to the country.
NPA board chair, Bishop Matthew Gueh, who administered the oath of office on Director Barsigiah, urged him to exercise what would foster peace and harmony among the employees.

“As you take office, I will give you a counsel. That is we need peace in the port of Buchanan. The peace will start with you and end with you. There will be opposition, but you need to see everyone equally”.
Earlier, Managing Director Twehway expressed joy that a typical Bassa man has taken over to manage the Buchanan port. He urged Barsigiah to use his leadership expertise to ignite peace and harmony among employees.
“From the time I have started coming here, I have never seen, I stand to be corrected, a typical Bassa man become manager. I want to say today we have a typical Bassa man as the new port manager for the port of Buchanan. We want you to be humble and come down to the level of the people.

The Bassa people expect more of you. We want this place to be peaceful. We don’t want any confusion here. We want you to work with everybody”, Dr. Twehway said.

Barsigiah holds a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and Change from the St Edwards Catholic University, United States of America. He also attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from the Huston Tillotson University, United States of America. He attended Cuttington University from 2004 to 2007 before departing Liberia for the US.

An acclaimed scholar, the new port director has several national and international leadership and excellence awards to his credit.

Prior to his appointment at the Buchanan port, he served as the executive management consultant at the National Port Authority. The enviable improvements at the seaport industry including the construction of the first NPA corporate headquarters, is also credited to Barsigiah’s leadership expertise provided over the years.

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.