By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
The House of Representatives (HOR) has tasked its joint committee on Public Accounts and Expenditure, Ways, Means, and Finance, and Rules, Order, and Administration with investigating allegations of payroll duplication within the Central Administration and Supplementary payroll systems.
According to the HOR official Facebook page, the decision follows a communication submitted by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) during the 3rd day sitting of the 1st quarter of the 2nd session on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. According to CSA Director General Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., the Government of Liberia is reportedly losing over $1.5 million annually due to fraudulent payroll practices.
Quoting the National Remuneration Standardization Act of 2019, Joekai highlighted that a single line item for remuneration is mandated for all ministries and agencies, ensuring that all payments are subject to taxation and align with the Liberia Revenue Code and the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
To address these irregularities, the CSA presented several recommendations to the House of Representatives. Key among them was the immediate closure and review of the supplementary payroll system to prevent further financial losses. The CSA also called for a thorough audit of the House’s payroll systems to identify and eliminate duplicated positions and individuals engaging in double-dipping practices.
The recommendations include strict compliance with the National Remuneration Standardization Act of 2019 by adopting a unified and transparent salary system. The CSA also proposed that individuals found guilty of double-dipping should repay the illegal payments and that the Human Resource Director of the House of Representatives be suspended and investigated for their role in the discrepancies, with their salary forfeited during the investigation.
The CSA has requested that the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), in collaboration with its Employee Status Regularization Project (ESRP), lead the investigation to identify violations and ensure corrective measures are implemented.
Director General Joekai emphasized that these payroll irregularities represent significant breaches of financial regulations and the 2019 remuneration act. He stressed that adherence to standardized salary practices and consultancy policies is crucial to enhancing accountability and ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and transparently.
The joint committee according to the House of Representatives is expected to present its findings to the plenary following the investigation.
