The Government of Liberian through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has announced the temporary suspension of 6,387 individuals from the national payroll.
According to reports, this suspension comes as a result of their failure to comply with mandatory payroll verification processes, including the General Auditing Commission (GAC) Payroll Compliance Audit conducted in 2021 and a subsequent 90-day post-audit verification.
Starting Monday, September 2, 2024, and running until November 4, 2024, the government will conduct a thorough two-month verification exercise to determine the employment status of those affected. The CSA and MFDP have raised alarms over the previous administration’s mishandling of the payroll system, accusing it of allowing the inclusion of fictitious names that have led to substantial financial losses.
These losses, they claim, have hindered the government’s ability to fund essential services in health, education, security, and infrastructure. This decisive action follows a recommendation from the Auditor-General, who urged the Office of the Comptroller and Accountant General to halt the salaries of the unverified employees. The CSA and MFDP have criticized the former administration for ignoring these recommendations, which they say has resulted in significant financial damage and compromised the integrity of the national payroll.
The CSA and MFDP are committed to ensuring that only verified civil servants are on the government payroll, emphasizing the need for accountability and merit-based recruitment in the public sector. This move is part of broader reforms aimed at restoring trust in the Civil Service by removing individuals who have exploited the system and ensuring that deserving Liberians are given opportunities to serve. The government has assured the public of its ongoing commitment to eliminating waste and preventing abuse within its ranks.
