Liberia News: Concerned WASH Commission Employees Threaten Go-Slow
…Over Alleged Nepotism and Mismanagement
By Jamesetta D Williams
Liberia-Concerned employees of the WASH Commission have threatened to initiate a go-slow action over alleged irregularities in the hiring and dismissal practices at the Commission.
Their concerns center on the appointment by Mr. George Yango of Ms. Naomi Tiabor, as Human Resources (HR) Manager.
Mr. Yango is accused of neglecting his leadership responsibilities by delegating too much authority to Ms. Tiabor.
The planned go-slow action is premised on allegation of nepotism against Ms. Tiabor who is said to be attempting to secure the Executive Director position for her son-in-law, Alex Joseph Mondubue.
In a leaked communication addressed to the WASH Commission’s board members, the group detailed multiple violations of civil service regulations, citing breaches of the Civil Service HR Policy, CSA Standing Orders, and the WASH Commission Act.
The group emphasized that the violations have undermined the integrity of the Commission’s operations and created a toxic work environment.
The letter also indicates that since May 2024, the Commission has struggled to meet its objectives beyond basic salary payments, which the employees attribute to poor leadership and mismanagement.
Unlawful dismissals, bypassing merit-based hiring practices, and unilateral decision-making are among the key issues raised.
According to the concerned employees, Ms. Tiabor has dismissed staff members without due process, further eroding civil service protocols.
In addition, the communication accused Ms. Tiabor and her relatives of creating a hostile work environment, citing intimidation and abuse of power.
The group also criticized the recent job posting for the Executive Director position, claiming it lacked essential details and raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.
The concerned employees are calling on the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to intervene and oversee the recruitment process to ensure that merit-based practices are followed, including comprehensive background checks on all applicants for the Executive Director role.
When contacted for a response, the WASH Commission declined to comment on the matter, while the Commission denied the existence of the group’s named spokesperson, Julia Davis, within the organization, and raised questions about the legitimacy of the complaint.
The situation remains tense, and with employees pushing for accountability and reforms in the Commission’s leadership and HR practices
