Monrovia-Liberia – In a staggering revelation, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has uncovered a jaw-dropping $6.1 million squandered on consultancy services during President George Weah’s administration.
The CSA’s damning report paints a picture of negligence and mismanagement, with little to no tangible results to show for the hefty expenditure.
According to the CSA’s Director General, Josiah Joekai, the funds allocated to consultancy services were not only wasted but also misapplied and left unaccounted for.
Joekai lamented the disproportionate engagement of consultants by government institutions, often without adherence to performance standards or transparent guidelines.
The dire consequences of such fiscal irresponsibility are palpable, as the government grapples with financial losses resulting from the blatant disregard for accountability under the previous administration.
Joekai pointed out that this pervasive mis-allocation of resources has hindered genuine progress and development initiatives.
To stem the hemorrhaging of public funds, the government has initiated measures to streamline the allocation of funds earmarked for consultancy services.
This includes imposing a $2 million cap on consultancy expenditures for the 2024 fiscal year, with the aim of achieving a cost-saving of $4.1 million.
These measures, according to Joekai, are crucial in curbing excesses and rooting out corruption that has plagued the consultancy landscape.The CSA’s newly established policy guidelines framework seeks to level the playing field for all spending entities seeking consultancy services.
By instituting rigorous standards and procedures, the framework aims to eradicate disparities and ensure equal opportunities for entities to address knowledge gaps within their respective domains.In a bold shift towards accountability and performance evaluation, consultancy firms are now required to meet key performance indicators established by contracting entities and overseen by the CSA.
This marks a pivotal moment in reshaping the consultancy landscape within government, moving away from mere employment extension towards delivering tangible results.
“By instituting this fiscal discipline and accountability mechanism, the government will safeguard public resources and pave the way for genuine progress and development initiatives to flourish,” remarked Josiah Joekai.
As the government vows to tighten its grip on fiscal management, the spotlight remains on President Boakai administration, tasked with rectifying the legacy of financial mismanagement and restoring public trust in governance.
