In a letter addressed to the President Pro Tempore and the Liberian Senate, Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely has raised critical concerns regarding the Civil Service Agency’s (CSA) recent circular mandating the closure of the Government of Liberia’s Mobile Money payroll system.
Senator Nimely, who also chairs the Grand Gedeh County Legislative Caucus and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Co-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, has called for a thorough assessment of the policy’s potential impact on rural workers who rely heavily on mobile money services for salary payments.
The CSA circular, issued on September 20, 2024, by Director General James J. Thompson, instructed all government spending entities to transition employees paid through Mobile Money to bank-based payroll systems. While this directive addressed discrepancies identified in the Mobile Money payment system, it has sparked widespread concern, particularly among employees residing in remote areas without easy access to banking institutions.
Senator Nimely has questioned the CSA’s decision, emphasizing the logistical challenges posed by Liberia’s underdeveloped banking infrastructure. “While the decision to transition employees from Mobile Money to bank payments might seem reasonable on paper, it raises significant challenges for those residing in rural communities where banks are scarce or non-existent,” Nimely stated.
The Senator highlighted that many government workers in Grand Gedeh and other rural counties will face extreme difficulties accessing their salaries if forced to use banks in distant cities. “How will our people in those villages get their money when roads to the banks are far, and transportation costs are high?” Nimely asked. The Senator emphasized that the CSA’s decision must consider the realities of Liberia’s geographic and infrastructural challenges.
In his letter to the Senate, Senator Nimely recommended that Director General Joekai be summoned before the legislative body to explain the CSA’s plan to implement the non-Mobile Money payroll system. The Senator also urged his colleagues to consider the broader implications of the policy on government workers, particularly those in remote areas who will face increased transportation costs and prolonged delays in receiving their salaries.
The move to close the government’s Mobile Money payroll system comes after multiple discrepancies within the platform were discovered. According to the CSA, these discrepancies have led to financial leakages and inefficiencies in managing government funds. While addressing these issues is essential, Senator Nimely believes the transition must be handled carefully to avoid inadvertently disadvantaging rural workers who rely on Mobile Money due to the absence of banks in their localities.
On the other hand, Mobile Money has been a vital financial tool in Liberia, particularly for people living where banking services are limited or non-existent. Since its introduction into the financial market, Mobile Money has provided a convenient and reliable way for individuals to conduct transactions, including receiving salaries, paying bills, and transferring funds. Senator Nimely warned that any abrupt closure of the Mobile Money payroll system could lead to unintended consequences, such as delays in salary payments and increased financial burdens for government workers in rural areas.
“The government must ensure that its programs have a direct and positive impact on the lives of citizens,” Nimely stated. “Transitioning away from Mobile Money without a comprehensive plan in place could cause unnecessary hardship for workers in rural communities who are already struggling with long distances, poor road conditions, and high transportation fares.”
Senator Nimely is urging the CSA to present a clear and actionable plan for rolling out the non-Mobile Money payroll system to minimize disruption to government workers getting access to their salaries and other benefits.
He called on the CSA to ensure that workers in rural counties are not left behind or forced to endure unnecessary challenges accessing their salaries.
In his letter, Senator Nimely stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in government decisions, particularly those that affect the livelihoods of thousands of civil servants. He noted that while financial discrepancies must be addressed, the government is responsible for ensuring that any transition in payroll systems is smooth and does not disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
“The CSA must provide clear details on how it plans to effectively implement this transition without causing undue hardship for government workers,” Nimely emphasized. “We need to understand the timeline for implementation, the availability of banking services in rural areas, and what measures are being put in place to support workers affected by this change.”
Senator Nimely’s call for accountability highlights the need for a comprehensive and well-thought-out approach to transitioning government payroll systems.
