–Says, US$500 Minimum – US$6,000 Maximum for All Gov’t Employees, Including Lawmakers is feasible
MONROVIA – The issue of salary cap in government setting in Liberia has always been of contention with arguments that the salary disparities between civil servants, government ministers, directors and lawmakers is so high to the detriment of the ordinary civil servants, the very people who sacrifice their all to make government functional in the interest of the country and its people.
To make matter worse, the managing directors, director generals, directors and some employees in other top positions salaries are astronomically high as compared to civil servants working in government. It is said that some make salaries as high as US$15,000 with other benefits, to include gasoline, housing and transportation allowances, scratch cards for internet and calls, fuel for generators, vehicle repair among many others.
Governments in and governments out, there have always been promises to cut waste and increase civil servants’ salaries to appreciable levels, but those promises never come to fruition. The worst to ever happen to civil servants was the harmonization exercise carried by former George Weah’s administration, where drastic reductions were affected against salaries of ordinary civil servants, while top government officials whose salaries were harmonized got other huge benefits to cover up the little reduction in their salaries.
LINU Political Leader, Dr. Clarence Moniba Proffers Remedy
In a write-up on his official Facebook page, where he usually addresses national issues that affect Liberia, the political leader and former presidential candidate of the opposition Liberia National Union (LINU), Dr. Clarence K. Moniba, has proffered a governance formula that will make the Government of Liberia smarter and effective.
According to Dr. Moniba, Liberia can achieve a smarter and effective government by responsibly consolidating the 104 ministries, agencies and commissions, which are say are too far many for a country of Liberia’s size, with a population of only 5.2 million people.
Dr. Moniba adds that by responsibly consolidating these institutions to no more than 50, Liberia can eliminate duplication, cut unnecessary spending, and save US$250–US$300 million every year. He notes that there will be no layoffs and job losses when such consolidation takes place.
The LINU political leader intones that Liberia can build a fair and dignified salary structure where EVERY civil servant earns at least US$500, and no one earns more than US$6,000 – from the highest minister or lawmaker to the lowest-paid janitor. “And we can achieve this without firing a single CIVIL SERVANT.”
Dr. Moniba States the How
“Liberia is a nation of only 5.2 million people, yet we operate a government with 104 ministries, agencies, and commissions – far too many for a country our size.
By responsibly consolidating these institutions to no more than 50, we can eliminate duplication, cut unnecessary spending, and save US$250–US$300 million every year.
These savings will allow us to:
• Guarantee a US$500 minimum monthly salary for all government employees
• Reinforce a fair maximum salary cap of US$6,000
• Reinvest substantial resources into education, agriculture, healthcare, and security, where development truly begins
And once again:
• NO CIVIL SERVANT LOSES THEIR JOB.
Everyone continues working.
• Those affected by consolidation are simply reassigned, placed into merged ministries and agencies where their skills are needed.
This is reform…
A smaller, smarter government does not mean fewer people – it means:
• Better organization
• Less waste
• Higher pay
• Stronger service delivery
A public sector that will work FOR the Liberian people.”
The Liberia National Union (LINU) is a political party in Liberia. It was formed by Dr. Harry Moniba, who served as Vice President of Liberia from 1984 to 1990. Moniba also helped to create the multi-party election system that the country currently uses. He served as LINU’s first standard bearer as well. It participated in the 11 October 2005 elections as part of the three-party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) coalition.
The Liberia National Union (LINU), one of the several political parties in the country has experienced a change of guard at the hierarchy of the political institution during its existence with Dr. Clarence K. Moniba the current political leader. He is the son of the founding father of the party, (LINU), Dr. Harry F. Moniba. Dr. Clarence K. Moniba, contested the presidency in the 2023 elections that brought president Joseph Nyuma Boakai to power.
Who is Dr. Clarence K. Moniba
Clarence K. Moniba, Ph. D, is a former Liberian government official. He served as the youngest person in the country’s history to be named Minister of State without Portfolio, as well as the Chairman of the Board of the Liberia Electricity Corporation by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He was a Principal Advisor and Project Manager to the President of Liberia and a leading figure on infrastructure development in Liberia from 2014 – 2018.
Dr. Moniba at various times also headed the Diaspora Engagement Unit, the Philanthropy Secretariat and the President’s Delivery Unit which oversaw implementation of priority projects.
Dr. Moniba in previous roles has worked with the African Development Bank’s High-Level Panel on Post Conflict & Fragile States, as well as the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda.
He was awarded the national medal Knight Commander of the Most Venerable Order of Pioneers – which then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf stated was for his outstanding and distinguished service in government.
Prior to his work in the Liberian government, Moniba was a professional American football player in the Arena League (2001–04). He is also the author of The Official Guidebook to a College Football Scholarship. The LINU current political leader is the 5th person to have occupied such the highest position within LINU, following notable individuals including Dr. Harry F. Moniba (his father), John Morlu, Cllr. Winston Tubman, Dr. Nathaniel Blama and now Clarence Moniba.
