Students of the University of Liberia (UL) referring to themselves as 'militants' besieged the offices of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on Ashmun Street in protest for the dismissal of more than 40 employees from that entity.

Approximately 100 students last Friday morning blocked the main entrance of the GAC and obstructed normal working activities there.

The students said they had gone to the GAC to protest the 'illegal dismissal' of their colleagues by Auditor General Robert L. Kilby and to also call for his resignation.

AG Kilby recently dismissed about 43 employees of the GAC citing budgetary constraints, over-crowdedness, incompetence and to de-politicize the institution.

Kilby's action has being criticized for his action against the workers for which he was summoned by the Senate Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Audits.

However, the group of students, claiming to be members of the UL based Student Unification Party (SUP) barricaded the GAC demanding the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues.

Nathan N. Kpao, Chairman of SUP said Kilby's action was unjustifiable, erroneous and intended to subject the young people to poverty.

He believes that the reasons provided for the dismissal of the 43 young Liberians by Auditor Kilby is feeble and can't hold water.

Student Kpao claimed AG Kilby is incompetent to run the GAC, indicating that the dismissal of the employees has undermined the credibility of the institution.

The SUP Chairman recalled that students at the University of Liberia raised issues about Kilby's credentials when he first appeared before the Senate for confirmation and told a lie under oath for which he was rejected.