By Precious D. Freeman
The newly appointed Vice Chairman for Administration, Nelson Williams, is said to be facing accusations of endorsing several promotions made by the outgoing Chairman, Adam Monabah at the Liberia Land Authority (LLA).
Among those promoted are several employees who have been with the agency for a short duration, including the Acting Assistant Director for Human Resources promoted to Assistant Director, Joshua Toto, Head of Communication and Outreach promoted to Assistant Director, Emmanuel Davis, Policy Officer/Analyst promoted to Director for Land Policy and Planning, Julius B. Kawa, Acting Deputy Comptroller promoted to Deputy Comptroller, Robertson Sirleaf.
Others include Augustus M. Zobomobo, Head of County Land Coordination, promoted to Assistant Director, Matu K. Williams, Assistant Asset Management Officer promoted to Director for Asset Management, Kweshie Tetteh, Public Relations Officer promoted to Director for Public Relations and Sarah Quirmolue, Head of Information Communication Technology promoted to Assistant Director for ICT.
Others are Folley A. Philip, Assistant Head of Training promoted to Director of Training, Million N. Brown, Acting Assistant Director for Monitoring and Evaluation promoted to Assistant Director, and Ciafa G. Clarke, Acting Assistant Director for Corporate Service Business Development promoted to Assistant Director.
These promotions, executed by the retired Executive Director, Stanley Toe, have raised serious concerns among LLA employees regarding their legality and transparency.
Williams, confirmed by the Senate as one of two commissioners on the five-member Commission, is alleged to have supported promotions issued in September 2024, despite Toe’s retirement effective July 31, 2024.
Civil Service Agency (CSA) communication dated July 12, 2024, explicitly noted the cessation of duties for retired employees, leaving Toe without the legal authority to make such decisions.
The promotion letters, all dated September 2, 2024, took effect the following day, leading to claims from ‘disgruntled’ LLA staff that Williams disregarded the commission’s protocol, which stipulates those promotions must be unanimously decided by all five commissioners.
When contacted for comments, Williams neither confirmed nor denied his involvement, attributing the backlash to people he described as “disgruntled employees”
He argued for the necessity of staff increases at the LLA, citing that the agency operates with only 300 employees while requiring up to 1,000 for effective functionality.
He further claimed to have alerted the Ministry of Finance about the agency’s budgetary constraints and low salaries for employees.
Critics within the LLA allege that the recent promotions favor family members and close associates of Toe, Monabah, and Williams, calling for the CSA to reject the promotion letters.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader issues of governance and accountability within the LLA, raising questions about the integrity of the promotion process and the management of public resources.
Employees are calling for an investigation into the promotions and the appointment of the remaining commissioners to restore proper oversight.
