Monrovia – River Gee County Senator Francis Dopoh has raised considerations over the alleged “wrongful” dismissal of the Director Basic of the Nationwide Public Well being Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dugbe Christopher Nyan.
By Obediah Johnson
Dr. Nyan, a Liberian scientist, was relieved of his publish by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai following a suggestion from the Board of Administrators of NPHIL.
However Senator Dopoh claimed that the transfer made by the Liberian chief has the propensity of scaring away professionals from returning to Liberia to serve their nation.
Final Tuesday, Senator Dopoh wrote a proper communication to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on the ‘‘unlawful matter’’.
He identified that his request for a probe into the matter was based mostly on a cautious evaluate of the NPHIL Act of 2016, the official dismissal letter from the Government, and an in depth response from Dr. Nyan himself, which included documentary proof.
Sadly, Senator Dopoh’s communication was not given full consideration following the intervention of Vp Jeremiah Koung, who presided over the session.
However talking in an interview with Legislative Reporters at his Capitol Constructing workplace in Monrovia on Thursday, October 23, 2025, Senator Dopoh noticed that earlier than the Secretary of the Senate might even full studying his letter, a movement was launched—and supported by some colleagues—to refer the matter to the Government, with the argument that the President has the only real prerogative to nominate and dismiss.
He famous that although he totally respects the constitutional powers of the Government, he believes that no department of presidency—regardless of how well-intentioned—ought to act exterior the bounds of the regulation.
In line with him, the NPHIL Act clearly offers for tenure and descriptions the method by which the Director Basic could also be eliminated.
Makes an attempt to promote GOL autos
Senator Dopoh asserted that the dismissal letter cited Sections of the Act—a few of which, upon evaluate, don’t even exist, thereby elevating critical questions.
He maintained that allegations have been made that the previous Director Basic was trying to deal with inner points, together with the alleged unlawful sale of presidency autos and mismanagement of sources.
“What I discover notably troubling will not be solely the substance of this case, however how rapidly and casually it was dismissed from dialogue on the Senate flooring. This was not solely untimely—it despatched the mistaken message to the Liberian individuals: that some issues are too delicate to be debated overtly, or that some places of work are above legislative scrutiny. I don’t consider that’s the sort of Senate the Liberian individuals elected us to be a part of.”
He said that paperwork in his possession and the decision offered by the Board and the letter of dismissal issued by Dr. Nyan elevate a number of points on the NPHIL.
Procedures ignored
Senator Dopoh emphasised that the process for removing of a Director Basic on the company was not adopted by the manager.
“We can’t sit right here and see such a decision and permit individuals to dismiss anyone on the premise of even utilizing the Senate. Past that time I noticed one other level that there is no such thing as a submission of the annual nationwide price range for 2024. The query now comes-on what price range was the very Board getting Board charges for the entire yr interval. Each time the regulation is crafted and a tenure is established, the President doesn’t have will and pleasure (to dismiss) anymore.” he stated.
He expressed disappointment over the choice taken by President Boakai to dismiss Dr. Nyan based mostly on a board decision.
He identified that Dr. Nyan is an expert and as such, his abrupt, questionable dismissal would scare away different professionals from returning to Liberia to serve their nation and its individuals.
Avoiding wrongful dismissals
Senator Dopoh maintained that the federal government might accrue extra monetary liabilities if Dr. Nyan decides to take authorized motion in opposition to his unlawful dismissal.
“I would like us to keep away from wrongful dismissal and a state of affairs the place people who find themselves professionals get tainted when they aren’t responsible; it discourages individuals who need to come to assist Liberia and serve from coming,” he additional averred.
Senator Dopoh said that his place on the dismissal of Dr. Nyan shouldn’t be seen as anti-government.
He talked about that although he strongly helps the agenda of the Boakai-Koung administration—notably its concentrate on being pragmatic, forward-looking and targeted on reform, the actual reform can’t occur if lawmakers don’t do the fitting issues in the fitting manner.
“It begins with consistency, transparency, and respect for the legal guidelines we ourselves have handed. My enchantment in the present day is easy: allow us to not cut back our oversight tasks to partisan comfort or private choice. Allow us to keep in mind that the establishments we construct in the present day will outlive us—and the choices we make now will set a precedent for future generations.”
Name for intervention
Senator Dopoh, nonetheless, referred to as on Senate Committees on Well being, and Judiciary—to revisit the dismissal of Dr. Nyan according to their mandate, and in service to the Liberian individuals.
He indicated {that a} probe into the matter would unearth the basis causes for the “administrative causes” for which Dr. Nyan was dismissed.
He underscored the necessity for President Boakai to hearken to the considerations raised by Dr. Nyan following his dismissal from NPHIL.
In the meantime, Senator Dopoh has inspired civil society actors, the media, and growth companions to stay engaged, because the power of Liberia’s democracy lies in how they reply to such crucial points.
“To those that might have misunderstood my intentions, I say this: I don’t search confrontation, however readability. Not obstruction, however accountability. Not resistance, however reform,” the River Gee Senator added.
