By Vaye A. Lepolu
The Civil Servants Agency (CSA) has initiated legal action against two major GSM companies, Lonestar and Orange, in response to significant discrepancies in salary payments. The CSA has reached out to Attorney General Cllr. Oswald Tweh, who also serves as the Acting Chair of the Cabinet, requesting the Monrovia City Court to issue subpoenas compelling the companies to provide transaction histories related to employee salaries processed through their platforms.
CSA Director General Josiah Joekai reported that both Lonestar and Orange are cooperating with the agency. He noted that Lonestar, in partnership with MTN, has provided several months’ worth of salary transaction data. Additionally, the CSA is seeking further information from Orange through the Monrovia City Court to ensure they receive recent transaction statements.
Since July 2024, the CSA has been conducting an analysis of salary payments, revealing a total of 4,738 transactions in both Liberian and United States dollars. However, only 3,884 of these transactions correspond to names on the national payroll, which also match those associated with Lonestar MTN accounts.
Joekai highlighted that 166 employees received portions of their salaries in Liberian dollars through mobile money, as well as in US dollars. These employees accessed their US dollar salaries at local banks, while the Liberian dollar component was also processed through the same institutions. This payment structure amounts to approximately 2.7 million Liberian dollars and 57,000 US dollars monthly, totaling an annual figure of about 3.1 billion Liberian dollars and 684,000 US dollars.
During the investigation, the CSA discovered multiple payments made to agents and businesses, with seven agents or businesses accounting for 22 transactions totaling 294,000 Liberian dollars and 4,366 US dollars. Joekai noted that over the course of a year, this could result in 3.5 million Liberian dollars and 52,000 US dollars being paid from the payroll account to these businesses rather than to individual employees.
Furthermore, Joekai stated that individuals who received payments via mobile money in July 2024 were not found on the national payroll, with a monthly payment of 3 million Liberian dollars and 47,506 US dollars. This discrepancy translates to an annual total of 36.9 million Liberian dollars and 570,600 US dollars.
The CSA has also identified a troubling category of transactions where 220 payments totaling 1.3 million Liberian dollars and 27,543 US dollars were made to individuals whose names do not correspond with those on the payroll.
In total, the CSA has tracked payments amounting to 13.7 million Liberian dollars and 310,516 US dollars over the past year to individuals in this category. Joekai emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that these records will be made public soon. He assured that the names of businesses involved will be disclosed, and those responsible for these discrepancies will face prosecution.
At a press briefing held at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) on Thursday, Joekai announced that the CSA is taking immediate action to address the salary discrepancies. He indicated that the 166 individuals receiving partial salaries through mobile money will have their payments suspended pending further investigation. Similarly, the 220 individuals whose names do not match payroll records will also be affected.
Joekai confirmed that the seven businesses receiving payments will be referred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation. He added that individuals responsible for processing salaries to 223 mobile money accounts not listed on the payroll will also be reported for investigation. The CSA is committed to ensuring that the total of 613 names currently on the payroll will be suspended until a thorough verification process is completed.
The CSA has also taken action to block 146 verified employees of the central administration of the House of Representatives as part of an update on the 2024 retirement and pension scheme.
Senator Sasse, in his remarks, expressed concern over the alarming discrepancies uncovered by the CSA. He emphasized the need for accountability among those entrusted with public funds and the importance of integrity in serving the nation.
