President Joseph Boakai has ordered the Bureau of State-Owned Enterprises to investigate reports of huge salaries and benefits accrued by public officials of the government, especially at State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), in an expeditious manner.
There have been verifiable reports of exorbitant earnings at some State Owned Enterprises that are resulting in the high cost of governance in Liberia.
It is undeniable that Liberia’s progress is being impeded in all sectors due to the high cost of governance especially recurrent expenditures including exorbitant salaries and benefits.
This situation is making it almost impossible for the government to carry out development projects across the country, thus depriving Liberians of the required social and economic benefits.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have been noted for paying their heads substantial salaries on the grounds that they operate as independent institutions with less involvement from the central government.
However, Liberians believe that the President’s new mandate will be very helpful in minimizing the high costs associated with salary and other benefits payments.
The Bureau of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Liberia is responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of state-owned enterprises in the country.
This disclosure was made during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando revealed that this move will open a new chapter for public officials, allowing them to take home what is actually meant for them.
It can be recalled that the former United States Ambassador to Liberia penned a statement decrying the state of public infrastructure and services in the country.
In the statement, the Ambassador described several structural problems associated with low state capacity, including weak public finance management.
In particular, he noted the discrepancy between the budget appropriations for political institutions (such as the legislature’s US$65 million budget) and the lack of resources to fund the everyday operations of health facilities in Liberia.
