IPNEWS: The Government of Liberia, through the Civil Service Agency (CSA), has announced a probe into allegations of irregularities in supplementary payrolls reportedly used to compensate individuals for services rendered to the House of Representatives. The investigation was disclosed in a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, by CSA Director General Josiah F. Joekai under the subject “Investigation into Allegations of Supplementary Payroll Mismanagement.”
According to the CSA, preliminary findings suggest that certain individuals listed on the supplementary payrolls may also appear on the Central Administration payroll, raising suspicions of double-dipping and unauthorized payments to non-government employees.
To facilitate a thorough investigation, the CSA has formally requested the leadership of the House of Representatives, particularly its Rules, Order, and Administrative Committee, to submit all supplementary payroll documents. This move aims to uncover discrepancies, ensure compliance with existing laws, and recommend corrective actions.
The CSA highlighted that supplementary payroll, including special allowances and honorariums, were abolished several years ago with the establishment of the National Payroll System in collaboration with government partners. However, the issue resurfaced recently when the CSA rejected a proposed increase in the House’s Central Administration payroll.
The House of Representatives had sought to raise its monthly payroll from the CSA-approved average of $284,000 to $327,000, a $43,000 hike. The CSA denied this request after discovering fictitious names and duplicate entries, saving the government over $500,000 annually.
The CSA has emphasized that any attempt to reintroduce supplementary payrolls poses a significant threat to public accountability and could serve as a channel for the misappropriation of public funds. The agency expects full cooperation from the House of Representatives to ensure transparency in the investigation.
“We urge the public to remain calm as the CSA collaborates with the Honorable House of Representatives to address these serious allegations and safeguard public resources,” the press statement concluded.
The Civil Service Agency (CSA) had earlier raised serious concerns over allegations of multiple supplementary payrolls allegedly being used to compensate individuals for services rendered to the House of Representatives. Initial findings indicate that some individuals listed on these supplementary payrolls may also appear on the Central Administration payroll, raising suspicions of double-dipping and unauthorized payments to non-government employees.
In response to these allegations, the CSA has formally requested the leadership of the House of Representatives, through its Rules, Order, and Administrative Committee, to submit all supplementary payrolls in their possession. This will allow the agency to conduct a thorough investigation, ensuring transparency and adherence to laws and policies governing public sector payments.
The use of supplementary payrolls, including special allowances and honorariums, was abolished years ago with the introduction of the National Payroll System. This reform, implemented in collaboration with government partners, aimed to streamline payroll processes and enhance accountability.
Despite these measures, the issue resurfaced a few months ago when the House of Representatives proposed increasing its Central Administration payroll from the CSA-approved monthly average of $284,000 to $327,000. The CSA rejected the $43,000 hike after discovering fictitious names and duplicate entries in the proposed payroll. This intervention saved the government over $500,000 annually.
The CSA views any attempt to reintroduce supplementary payrolls as a grave threat to public accountability, describing such practices as a potential avenue for misappropriation of public funds.
The CSA is confident in the leadership of the House of Representatives’ willingness to cooperate by providing the requested payroll documents and other relevant information. This collaboration is essential to ensure a thorough investigation and implement corrective actions if necessary.
The CSA has called on the public to remain calm and trust the ongoing process. The agency remains committed to safeguarding public resources and maintaining accountability within the civil service.
This investigation underscores the CSA’s vigilance in upholding transparency and its unwavering commitment to protecting public funds from misuse.
