Monrovia – Liberia’s ruling party is exerting its influence across government ministries and agencies, demanding the hiring of its partisans at the detriment of several other qualified Liberians.
Edwin Genoway, [email protected]
Recently, the Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change, Mulbah Morlu declined to respond to query about a list of 28 names, believed to be members of the party, that were been recommended for employment at the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
The list comprises 17 recommended consultants, a monitoring manager, transportation manager, deputy transport manager, finance manager, cost accountant, administrative accountant, logistics manager, commercial manager, monitoring and evaluation, procurement analyst and finance manager.
Although both the government and the ruling party ignored concerns about the alleged pressure being exerted to absorb its partisans, FrontPageAfrica has gathered that similar situation is unfolding at the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) where some employees are claiming that their positions are under threat.
The employees, names withheld to prevent reprisal, are becoming worried about losing their jobs.
They are also in fear due to intimidations from the Superintendent of the MCSS, Benjamin Jacob, who is threatening to dismiss them.
FPA has learned that Mr. Jacob’s tenure as head of the MCSS has expired and he is allegedly lobbying with hierarchy of the CDC to maintain his position at the entity.
As part of his maneuvering to maintain his job, Jacobs is allegedly negotiating with the CDC hierarchy, promising to hire over six partisans at the MCSS and drop existing staffs.
Sources within the MCSS have hinted this paper that Jacob is prepared to trade the comptroller office and the entire finance department to the CDC in order to maintain his job.
Negotiations are said to be ongoing between some CDC lawmakers and Jacob to advocate on his behalf to the President in order to retain his position as superintendent of the MCSS.
“He’s going all around the place negotiating and lobbying so he can be retained, he has gone to Representative Acarous Gray and Munnah Pelham to talk for him,” our source hinted.
“There is no problem begging for you to be retain, but you cannot be begging to retain your job and you are behind the scene fighting to take bread from others mouths.
Staffs of the Human Resource and finance departments are being threatened, the source added.
The controller of the MCSS has already been issued a letter, instructing her to step aside from her position, which is to be occupied by a staunch CDC partisan.
The comptroller has however refused to explain more about the letter but she confirmed that she has received the letter from her boss informing her that the party is sending someone in her place.
“Yes I got letter from Jacob that the party want me out of my position and replace me with a CDCian, I cannot say much yet because I know the party will not do that, so am not deter by that letter,” said Felecia Worlo.
According to the letter allegedly signed by the CDC Chairman Morlu, which is in the possession of FPA, states:
“The bearer of this letter, Mr. Amos M. Lavalah, Jr (0886104865) being a member of the Coalition Democratic Change, has expressed interest to be in the employ of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) as comptroller.
“He is a candidate in Masters Program reading banking and Finance with vast working experience. He has been thoroughly vetted and have emerged as qualified and eager to contribute to the progressive agenda of the President.
“Henceforth, I strongly recommending him employment in the capacity stated above.”
The current comptroller, who refused to speak further to the press on the issue, is a graduate school student of banking and financing at the University of Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Superintendent of the MCSS, Benjamin Jacob, also refused to comment on the accusations against him until FPA can reveal the source of the allegations.
“I don’t know what you talking about, in fact who even gave you that letter or the information, until you tell me who provided you that information I have nothing to say in that regards, thank you,” he said in a telephone chat with FPA.