New MD Accused of Reversing Gains at National Shipping Company
There is growing concern within Sierra Leone National Shipping Company over a series of questionable staff reinstatements spearheaded by the new Managing Director (MD), Mustapha Mark Lissa. Former employees, many of whom were dismissed under the current SLPP government for administrative misconduct or malpractice, are now being quietly reinstated into their previous roles — without due process and notably in the absence of the Human Resource Manager during interviews.
These individuals are reportedly being reabsorbed into the system after closed-door interviews conducted by the MD, the Company Secretary, the Board Chairman, and a few board members. Their reinstatement, however, raises eyebrows due to their previous professional relationships with the MD, who served as Deputy Managing Director prior to 2018.
In February 2019, both the Management Accountant and the Internal Auditor were relieved of their duties following poor performance and alleged malpractice. Yet today, they are being brought back under the leadership of their former superior, who is now the MD. This move appears less about institutional reform and more about consolidating a familiar inner circle — a “cabal” — that could operate without accountability. There are other individuals within the company who are better qualified for these roles but have been deliberately overlooked simply because they refuse to compromise their integrity.
Equally disturbing is the attempt to reinstate the former Chief Accountant, who was dismissed alongside the Finance Manager in late 2014 under the APC administration due to serious professional misconduct. That same individual is now being lined up to return to the same position — even though there is a highly qualified and experienced Accountant who has faithfully served in that role since 2019.
Individuals at the Center of This Controversy:
- Mr. Mohamed Basiru Karim – Dismissed in 2019 from the Accounts Department and AP Operative due to gross incompetence. He is now being considered for reinstatement.
- Mr. Albert Hubbard – Former Internal Auditor dismissed in 2018. He is now being positioned to retake his former role despite the presence of more qualified and competent staff within the department.
- Mr. Leonard Carr – Dismissed in late 2014 along with his superior for malpractice. He is being considered for reinstatement as Chief Accountant, even though a qualified candidate currently occupies the role and has performed admirably since 2019.
This troubling trend suggests an orchestrated effort to reassemble a team rooted in past misconduct — a cabal that could potentially engage in widespread corruption at the expense of the company’s financial health and reputation.
This manipulation of the hiring and reinstatement process undermines principles of meritocracy and professionalism. It also sends a demoralizing message to competent and committed staff who are being overlooked simply because they lack political connections or refuse to engage in corrupt practices.
Additional revelations from other departments are expected soon, including evidence of gross salary disparities where underqualified and politically connected individuals are paid far more than their highly competent counterparts.