MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has uncovered a disturbing payroll discrepancy in the House of Representatives, revealing that the government has lost an estimated US$1.5 million due to improper payroll practices during the leadership of former Speaker Fonati Koffa and Marvin Cole, who chaired the House’s Rules, Order, and Administration Committee. The findings were disclosed in a letter presented during the House’s regular sitting on January 21, 2025.
According to CSA Director-General Josiah Joekai, the agency’s analysis revealed several irregularities, including duplications of staff names across both central and supplementary payrolls. This failure to maintain a proper payroll system violates the National Remuneration Standardization Act of 2019, which mandates a unified and transparent payroll process to prevent misuse of public funds.
“The discrepancies identified show that the government has lost over US$1.5 million due to these payroll issues,” Joekai stated in the letter. Among the flagged cases were individuals, such as Chambiyor Bridges and Augustine Nimely, who were found to be listed on both payrolls, receiving multiple salaries for similar positions.
The report has sparked intense reactions from lawmakers, many of whom expressed shock and disappointment over the apparent lack of oversight during Speaker Koffa’s tenure. Several lawmakers have raised concerns about how such discrepancies went unnoticed for so long and criticized Marvin Cole’s committee for not addressing the problem sooner. “This issue represents a fundamental failure of oversight and an alarming disregard for public funds,” one lawmaker said during the heated debate.
The disclosure has led to growing demands for accountability, with some lawmakers calling for transparency and immediate corrective action to be taken. Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah stepped in during the discussions, attempting to keep the debate focused, as the room grew tense with disagreements over the political implications of the issue.
In light of the findings, the CSA has urged the government to initiate a comprehensive audit of the House’s payroll, remove duplicate entries, and ensure full compliance with the 2019 National Remuneration Standardization Act. “This is a critical issue for both the proper management of public resources and the restoration of public trust in our institutions,” Joekai added.
