By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: President Joseph N. Boakai has reiterated his commitment to regulating and capping the salaries and benefits of executives and board members of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The President’s pledge comes in response to a comprehensive report from the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), which revealed “significant inefficiencies and inconsistencies” in compensation practices across various State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
President Boakai underscored the necessity for compensation packages to align with the country’s economic realities.
The President’s call signals a strong move towards enhancing transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources within the public sector, some observer believed.
The latest BSE report highlights gross lack of coordination between SOE Boards and Managements, prompting calls for a new regulatory framework.
President Boakai also commended the Director General of the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), Arthur Massaquoi, for the thorough analysis.
The Liberian leader expressed empathy for Liberians who are concern about financial mismanagement and inefficiencies in SOEs.
He urged the BSE and the Governance Commission to collaborate in relation to a comprehensive Corporate Governance Policy to address these issues and harmonize SOE operations.
In the midst of this reform push, controversy has erupted over the purported salary package of the acting Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
A claimed payroll indicates that each LTA Commissioner receives a total of US$15,449 per month, including a basic salary of US$7,861, transportation allowance of US$1,572, housing allowance of US$1,200, and other benefits.
Patrick Honnah, one of the Acting Commissioners of LTA, has denied these figures and challenged anyone with evidence to make them available for public scrutiny.
“I challenge anyone to prove the huge amount they are calling. My last August paycheck is below US$5,000.00,” Mr. Honnah said on Truth FM on Tuesday, August 3, 2024.
Honnah has also denied having an assigned luxurious vehicle, as alleged by his critics. He called for transparency in these matters.
Patrick Honnah, took to the airwaves on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and vehemently refuted the allegations bordering on his salary and benefits.
Speaking via a joint interview with Truth FM and Joy FM, Commissioner Honnah categorically dismissed claims that he receives US$15,000 monthly, describing the claims as “baseless.”
“I dare anyone to prove on the record that I, as a Commissioner of the LTA, make US$15,000,” the Commissioner said.
To substantiate his denial, Mr. Honnah displayed to the media his August 2024 pay record, which shows his salary US$4,952, contrary to widespread allegations that he and other LTA Commissioners earn US$15,000 each monthly.
The LTA Communications Department has also dismissed the leaked figures as false, stating that the recent expenditures on workshops and consultations were significantly lower than reported.
The Department emphasized that the current LTA Board has reinvigorated regulatory engagements and improved operations.
The LTA Communication Department: “It’s bogus. Shame on whoever ‘leaked’ that breakdown.
“What we do know for a fact is that the 8,000 USD figure they claimed to be the amount LTA bosses spent on food at DCalabash is a lie. We held series of workshops, public consultations, and strategic meetings there since the new Board of Commissioners (BoC) arrived and the total amount spent was just over 4,000, a far cry from 8,000,” the department said.
Human Rights activist, Jesse Cole, criticized the reported high salaries of public officials amidst widespread poverty in the country, urging a reassessment of earnings in line with citizens’ living standards.
Charles McCauley from Kakata echoed these concerns, calling for reduced government expenditures on lavish lifestyles while many Liberians struggle with accessing basic needs.
Emmanuel Varney, a civil servant in Gbarnga, described the LTA commissioners’ salaries as “outrageous,” while Abraham, a street vendor in Monrovia, lamented that some Liberian leaders seem disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
As the government prepares to tackle these issues, President Boakai’s administration faces mounting pressure to address public concerns and ensure that reforms translate into tangible benefits for the Liberian people.
The Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), which has been mandated by President Boakai to scrutinize the salaries of all BSEs was established in 1985 to coordinate the activities of all state-owned Enterprises.
The BSE’s coordination of the state enterprise sector involves oversight of SOEs operations, professional advice to the government on issues relating to the state-enterprise sector, regulation of the sector through recommendations of policies when approves, and providing strategic leadership and direction for SOES.
The State- enterprise sector has the potential to contribute hugely to national growth and development when managed effectively and efficiently. This can be achieved by strengthening the governance and regulatory frameworks that will improve oversight of the sector, expand the coverage of the sector, ensure accountability and transparency of the state-owned entities and foster the efficient delivery of needed goods and services to the Liberian population.
