BY: LINDA GBARTIE
MONROVIA: Former Auditor General of Liberia, John S. Morlu, has termed the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) investigation of Margibi County Senator, Nathaniel Farlo McGill, based on allegations of corruption as “bad governance.”
Former AG Morlu also called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to thoroughly investigate the US$55 million transfer letter which led to the withdrawal of such huge amount from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
The LACC, in a recent communication to Senator McGill, stated that it has initiated an investigation into allegations of payroll padding and corruption related to salary payments for a supplementary payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.
The communication stated that the supplementary payroll which contained 728 names was allegedly created outside the framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), under Senator McGill’s directive during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
The Commission also stated that the supplementary payroll was marred by irregularities, amounting to payroll administrative malpractice and corruption.
The LACC’s letter to McGill states: “Given your position as Minister of State at the time, the LACC believes that you could provide useful information to aid its investigation. Hence, you are invited to appear before the commission. You are also advised to bring your legal counsel and any relevant documents to support your testimony.”
However, Mr. Morlu, a confidant and strong supporter of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai pointed out, in a recent statement that the Boakai led Government’s focus on supplementary payroll seems to be misplaced.
According to former AG Morlu, while it is true that every state ministry since 2000 has had a supplemental payroll, but singling out McGill on such issue seems “trivial.”
Morlu, a renowned global audit expert, highlighted that unless there is evidence that people did not receive their money, but for the government to pursue McGill on such issue is also a “waste of time.”
According to him, ministries such as Education, Internal Affairs, State, and Health have all had supplemental payrolls since 2000, and the Ministry of Finance has even had four different supplemental payrolls.
“While it is poor governance to circumvent civil service procedures, this isn’t corruption in itself. The real issue with ghost workers lies elsewhere, not in supplemental payrolls,” Morlu added.
The Former Auditor General also mentioned that United States Agency for International Development (USADI) financed the supplemental payrolls for the Ministries of Health and Education.
He emphasized that if the government wants to go after Senator McGill, it should focus on more serious matters.
He stressed that the General Auditing Commission (GAC), has already audited supplementary payrolls and advised against them because they are not supported by Personnel Action Notices.
Morlu believes that this issue has been a significant problem since the post-war period, and harmonization was supposed to address it.
In this case, he said, the LACC might be wasting time and resources.
Morlu: “If the government genuinely believes McGill’s wealth came from supplementary payrolls, then, the fight against corruption is both misguided and a joke.”
Morlu cautioned that instead, President Boakai should be investigating the US$55 million letter transfer to the National Security Agency (NSA) and audit the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
He continued: “Unless Boakai’s administration believes the 700 plus are ghost workers and don’t exist, then this is a ridiculous issue. At worst, it’s bad governance. Investigate the US$55 million letter transfer. This is only going to turn McGill into a hero.”
