MONROVIA – Following a month-long investigation into the House of Representatives’ central administration and supplementary payrolls, the Government of Liberia through the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has unearthed jaw dropping irregularities that point to the duplication of 17 positions on the House’s central administration payroll, thus creating a supplementary payroll with 243 roles and instances of double dipping, costing the government a staggering $1,566,564 annually. In a strongly worded tone, CDA Director General Josiah Joekai has recommended punitive actions to be meted against the culprits, ranging from suspension, dismissal, and restitution of pilfered funds. Joekai has also formally requested the Accountant General of Liberia to instruct commercial banks from processing supplementary payroll requests from any government institution.
Making the heartbreaking disclosure Thursday, January 23, 2025, during the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, CSA Director General Joekai said the investigation into the House of Representative payroll is in line with strict adherence to the “National Remuneration Standardization Act” of 2019, signed into law by former President George M. Weah, the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
DG Joekai said the irregularities discovered with the House central administration and central payrolls undermine the objectives of the 2019 Act, which aim to standardize government salaries, eliminate redundancies, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
“The report identified numerous duplicated positions across various titles, including Research Officers, Office Assistants, Protocol Officers, and others. These duplications and individuals receiving salaries from both payrolls violate the principles of transparency and accountability.
“In addition, the supplementary payroll has become an avenue for the misapplication of public funds, directly contravening the single salary guidelines mandated by the 2019 Act. To immediately halt these practices, the CSA has formally requested the Comptroller and Accountant General of Liberia to instruct commercial banks to cease processing supplementary payment requests from any government entity immediately.
House HR Director, Others Fingered
According to DG Joekai, the CSA’s recommendations underscore the urgent need to permanently close the House’s supplementary payroll and thoroughly review its payroll systems to eliminate duplications and double-dipping.
“The House of Representatives Human Resource Director and three others who were also double-dipping should be immediately suspended and investigated for these discrepancies, and their salaries for the investigation period should be forfeited. With the consent of the House’s leadership, the special Internal Audit Agency (IAA) team working with the CSA on the Employee Status Regularization Project (ESRP) will conduct the investigation.
“Those found guilty must restitute funds received unlawfully, and those responsible for approving the supplementary payrolls must face disciplinary actions, including suspension and dismissal where applicable. These corrective measures will safeguard public funds, reinforce fiscal discipline, and uphold the principles of the National Remuneration Standardization Act. We also call for strict adherence to established salary guidelines and ensure that other personnel-related payments align only with the established consultancy framework.
“We applaud the courageous steps the current House Leadership has taken to engage with this report and take immediate actions to rectify these issues. Such leadership demonstrates a commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources. The CSA remains steadfast in its mission to ensure compliance with payroll management policies and enhance governance across the public sector,” Joekai said.
Update on the National Pension Payroll Transition
Meanwhile, the CSA, in collaboration with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), has conducted nationwide pre-retirement counselling workshops and data collection exercises for eligible employees.
These workshops and exercises, held from Monday, August 26, 2024, to Friday, September 13, 2024, were tailored for employees retiring in 2024 and those who retired between 2019 and 2023 but had not yet transitioned to the national pension payroll. This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to honoring our retirees by ensuring they receive their rightful benefits on time.
“We are pleased to report that significant progress has been made since the conclusion of these nationwide exercises. Working closely with NASSCORP, we have successfully transitioned over 400 employees to non-active status, and they have already begun receiving their retirement pension benefits. The transition process continues, and Entities will be appropriately notified.
“We acknowledge the complexities involved in this undertaking and appreciate the patience and understanding of all stakeholders as we work towards finalizing this process. The CSA will continue to provide regular updates on the progress of this transition. This achievement reflects our dedication to upholding the dignity and welfare of our retired workforce.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated employees who have diligently served our nation and to the collaborative efforts of NASSCORP and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Together, we remain committed to ensuring a dignified and smooth retirement transition for all eligible employees,” DG Joekai said.
It can be recalled that in August 2024, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) announced a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to streamline public service and ensure the well-being of the country’s valued workforce. Approximately 1,400 employees representing 35 Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) were identified as eligible for retirement, marking the beginning of a comprehensive initiative to ensure a seamless transition to retirement for these dedicated public servants who have contributed immensely to our nation.
Salary Top-Up Initiative at the CSA
Furthering briefing the press, CSA DG Joekai reiterated the Government’s commitment to addressing the salary disparities faced by essential public sector employees, particularly teachers, health workers, security personnel, and agriculture extension workers, noting that the CSA has estimated that approximately 12,129 teachers, 4,713 health workers, 7,651 security personnel, and 480 agriculture workers earn below the official minimum wage for their respective positions.
“To rectify this situation, the Civil Service Agency (CSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning (MFDP), is undertaking a salary top-up initiative to make annual allocations to bridge these gaps and ensure fair compensation for these vital roles. This structural approach will ensure that the most affected employees receive adequate support tailored to their specific salary needs.
“The salary top-up program will provide targeted financial support to those identified as earning below the minimum threshold set for their positions. This initiative not only seeks to improve the economic stability of these workers but also aims to enhance job satisfaction and retention in these critical sectors. By offering additional compensation, the government intends to foster a more motivated workforce, ultimately leading to improved public service delivery in education, healthcare, security, and agriculture. This strategic approach aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision of promoting equity within Liberia’s civil service.
“Furthermore, the CSA is committed to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the salary top-up initiative. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the program effectively addresses the needs of the targeted groups and adapts to any changing economic conditions. By prioritizing fair wages for essential personnel, the government hopes to create a more equitable and productive civil service environment, strengthen public service foundations, and contribute to national development,” DG Joekai said.
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