[Liberia] Civil Service Agency investigates alleged Lower House payroll mismanagement

In Liberia, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has announced the start of a formal investigation into serious allegations of payroll mismanagement involving multiple supplementary payrolls purportedly used to pay individuals for services rendered to the House of Representatives, Liberian Observer reports.

The agency expressed deep concern over reports suggesting that some individuals listed on these supplementary payrolls may also appear on the Central Administration payroll, potentially leading to cases of double-dipping and payments to non-government employees for services not rendered.

In a statement issued by Josiah F. Joekai - Director-General of the CSA - the agency reportedly called for a thorough investigation and emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. 

"Preliminary information suggests that several individuals may have been paid for services that were never actually rendered," Mr Joekai said. "This raises significant concerns about potential double-dipping and the misuse of public resources."

The CSA formally requested the leadership of the House of Representatives - specifically through its Rules, Order, and Administrative Committee - to provide all supplementary payroll records in their possession, to ensure that the investigation is comprehensive. 

The CSA expressed hopes that this will facilitate a detailed analysis of the payroll data and inform any necessary corrective actions in line with applicable laws and policies.

The CSA's concerns reportedly come in the wake of previous efforts to curb payroll mismanagement within the government. 

"Several years ago, supplementary payrolls, including special allowances and honorariums, were abolished following the establishment of the National Payroll System, developed in partnership with government stakeholders," Mr Joekai said. "Despite this reform, the issue resurfaced recently when the CSA disapproved a proposed increase to the House's Central Administration payroll."

In one instance, the House of Representatives had sought to raise the payroll from the CSA-approved monthly average of $284,000.00 to $327,000.00. 

The proposed $43,000.00 increase was subsequently rejected by the CSA after fictitious names and duplicate entries in the payroll records were discovered. Mr Joekai stated that this move saved the government over $500,000.00 annually, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining proper payroll oversight.

The CSA reportedly clarified that any attempt to reinstate or reinitiate supplementary payrolls would pose a serious threat to public accountability and could serve as a mechanism for misappropriating government funds. 

"We take these allegations very seriously," Joekai said. "The CSA is confident that the leadership of the House of Representatives will fully cooperate by providing all the necessary payroll documents and any additional relevant information to support the investigation."

Mr Joekai reportedly added that the CSA is committed to working closely with the House of Representatives to address these serious allegations and ensure the safeguarding of public resources.

Source: Liberian Observer

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Liberia, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has announced the start of a formal investigation into serious allegations of payroll mismanagement involving multiple supplementary payrolls purportedly used to pay individuals for services rendered to the House of Representatives, Liberian Observer reports.

The agency expressed deep concern over reports suggesting that some individuals listed on these supplementary payrolls may also appear on the Central Administration payroll, potentially leading to cases of double-dipping and payments to non-government employees for services not rendered.

In a statement issued by Josiah F. Joekai - Director-General of the CSA - the agency reportedly called for a thorough investigation and emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. 

"Preliminary information suggests that several individuals may have been paid for services that were never actually rendered," Mr Joekai said. "This raises significant concerns about potential double-dipping and the misuse of public resources."

The CSA formally requested the leadership of the House of Representatives - specifically through its Rules, Order, and Administrative Committee - to provide all supplementary payroll records in their possession, to ensure that the investigation is comprehensive. 

The CSA expressed hopes that this will facilitate a detailed analysis of the payroll data and inform any necessary corrective actions in line with applicable laws and policies.

The CSA's concerns reportedly come in the wake of previous efforts to curb payroll mismanagement within the government. 

"Several years ago, supplementary payrolls, including special allowances and honorariums, were abolished following the establishment of the National Payroll System, developed in partnership with government stakeholders," Mr Joekai said. "Despite this reform, the issue resurfaced recently when the CSA disapproved a proposed increase to the House's Central Administration payroll."

In one instance, the House of Representatives had sought to raise the payroll from the CSA-approved monthly average of $284,000.00 to $327,000.00. 

The proposed $43,000.00 increase was subsequently rejected by the CSA after fictitious names and duplicate entries in the payroll records were discovered. Mr Joekai stated that this move saved the government over $500,000.00 annually, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining proper payroll oversight.

The CSA reportedly clarified that any attempt to reinstate or reinitiate supplementary payrolls would pose a serious threat to public accountability and could serve as a mechanism for misappropriating government funds. 

"We take these allegations very seriously," Joekai said. "The CSA is confident that the leadership of the House of Representatives will fully cooperate by providing all the necessary payroll documents and any additional relevant information to support the investigation."

Mr Joekai reportedly added that the CSA is committed to working closely with the House of Representatives to address these serious allegations and ensure the safeguarding of public resources.

Source: Liberian Observer

(Quotes via original reporting)