Government doesn’t lack money

By Ethel A Tweh

Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweh, has informed members of the Liberian Senate that government does not lack money to pay salaries as perceived by some members of the public.

According to Minister Tweh, government is committed to not owing any arrears for civil servants across the country, though salary has been over the period leading the Judiciary, presided over by Chief Justice Yuoh to order the arrest of the Minister recently, for obstructing judicial functions by delaying salary payment.  

However, Tweah stated that there were some technical problems in the payment of salaries to civil servants for the month of October and assured Senate plenary of government’s commitment to paying salaries which have commenced for the said month, adding that based on the mandate of President George Weah, all salaries for November will be paid on or before 29th November, while December salaries will be paid on or before December 15, respectively.

With respect to protest action by state prosecutors and Public Defenders, as raised by the Senate, he added that the Ministry is not aware of any delay in salary to public defenders in the judiciary except for vehicles requested and salary increment, which he assured could be handled in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Budget.

Minister Tweh further assured the Senate Plenary that all legacy payments for the Social Development Funds will be made in the 2023 Budget Year as Senators expressed deep dissatisfaction over the Ministers’ action of not paying money owed to counties as social development funds from companies.

Regarding Contempt charge brought against him, following a lengthy deliberation by Senators, the Minister apologized for not honoring the invitation of the Senate, which according to him, was due to his absence from country at the time.

Tweah at the same time expressed respect and willingness to appear at any time when needed by the Senate for the overall growth of the country.