Information reaching FrontPageAfrica indicates that the Auditor-General of the General Auditing Commission (GAC), Mr. Robert Kilby has been found to have hired 69 persons since he assumed the post but is yet to resolve the issue of illegally fired employees of the commission.
Records on the hiring in possession of FrontPageAfrica shows that among the 69 new individuals hired, there are three mechanic drivers each making US$500, two VIP Security with a salary of US$ 500, an executive driver with the same last name as Kilby who makes US$750.
The AG according to the document also brought in an intern who makes US$250, an office assistant who earns US$1,000, a media analyst who makes US$850.
Mr. Kilby also hired nine persons holding the positions of directors but with varying salaries ranging from US$5,000 to 3,000 and a comptroller who earns US$5,3000.
The revelation comes amid concerns from many quarters that Mr. Kilby is yet to perform an audit even though he has been allotted more than US$7 million to carry out audits.
Most of the funds allotted have reported been spent on lofty salaries Kilby has allotted to new hires.
Kilby, FrontPageAfrica has also reportedly increased his monthly salary from the US$8,000 agreed at the time of his appointment to US$15,000.00.
It can be recalled that AG Kilby fired over forty (40) individuals from the GAC November 2012 forty because the commission did not have the funds to pay them but the current salary structure of those hired by Kilby shows that even an intern makes over USD 200.
Mr. Kilby also said that fired employees were not qualified to work at the GAC and that these efforts at cleaning the agency was to make it audit centric.
"The commission wishes to make it clear to its staff and the general public that for the purpose of re-alignment, it is encouraging that all staff members submit letters expressing interest in any of the areas mentioned in the chart," stated a release from the GAC.
The GAC said the realignment was aimed at making working conditions more effective and thereby released a new Organizational Chart on August 30, 2012 when AG Kilby met staff in the theater of the Monrovia City Hall.
"Management also wants to make it categorically clear that this exercise is in no way an attempt to lay off any employee as is being misconstrued by some of the staff, but instead to leverage the existing skills of the staff at the commission," stated the commission at the time.
"Moreover, let it be made clear that there is no mounting tension of any sort at the Commission as is being perceived by the some staff and media outlets.
The GAC, in its fight against corruption, has partnered with the media over the years and will continue to do so."
Despite these assurances of transparency the GAC under Kilby has hired more people and spent more of Taxpayers' money on individuals with duplicate positions at the entity. A case in point is that the AG has hired an Executive Administrative Assistant who earns US$3,150 and an office assistant who makes US$1,000.
There is a Director of Communications and Public Relations at the GAC hired by Kilby who makes US$3,900 while it also has a media analyst making US$850.
Dismissed employees had accused Mr. Kilby of employing more people than he had fired. And that those he hired salaries are higher than those who were in same positions or lower. It is also alleged that he had spent over fifty thousand for his car but with an executive driver who earns US$775 anything is possible.
Protests over dismissals
Kilby's mass firing led to claims and counter claims from the GAC and aggrieved employees which caused a huge uproar that soon resulted into heated tension that lasted for about two weeks.
The tension grew into protest from various youth groups across the country who in turn called for the resignation of Kilby with many accusing him of undermining the government's policy on Youth empowerment. The protest Senate's Public Accounts and Audits Committee promise to quickly investigate the issue. But the committee has been accused of failing to respond to the allegation and dragging its feet on the matter.
The illegally dismissed employees of the GAC demanded the immediate removal of Kilby on grounds that he lacks integrity and the requisite professional competence to manage the Commission.
The accused Kilby of has grossly violated the public trust via his involvement in diverse financial and administrative malpractices which is punishable under Chapter 53 Section 2 of the Executive Law of 1972 which states that the Auditor General shall be removed by the president for gross malfeasance or gross nonfeasance in office or for mental or physical disability or incompetence.
"We see it as complete selfishness should we agree to return under Kilby who is grossly hungry to conspire with rogue elements of the regime to dump the country and its people," said the group in a release.
"The almost 50 redundant employees say Kilby decision to dismiss trained and experienced auditors is a full scale declaration of war on transparency and accountability and by extension the people of Liberia with the key objective to conspire and loot national resources and to derail the peace and stability being enjoyed currently."
The group alleged that in the 2012/2013 national budget both the President and the National Legislature allocated 4.715.625 million for personnel cost with an increment of US$852,709.
"This indicates that Kilby's claims of budgetary constraints is a complete misrepresentation of facts intended to incite the public against the Legislature and the Executive."
After months of wrangling amidst controversy over his credentials Kilby was confirmed by the Senate replacing former Auditor General John S. Morlu who was recruited by the European Union, nominated by Sirleaf in January 2007.
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When will he produce his first comprehensive audit of any ministry or agency? The lack of professional work or product from his office means that he is more political in function than his predecessor. Doing the work you are hire to do does not make you political, you may be controversial, cause other will agree with you and those affected by your work may not agree with you. But failing to produce any work, or professional product, in this case a audit report, makes you extremely political, cause you are in office to satisfy the status quo, and appease those in authority.I think he was hire to do what he is doing, occupy the post without being on top of his game, which is actually auditing, or to delay for about five to six years.No auditor makes friends by auditing, let alone Liberia, where political and financial corruption is a commonplace activity.