AS BOAKAI ADMINSTRATION TO SACK OVER 700 MINISTRY OF STATE WORKERS, SAYS SUPPLEMENTARY PAYROLL IS OVERCROWDED
Monrovia, Liberia – On Friday, over 300 additional staff members at the Ministry of State lost their tempers and caused chaos at the Executive Mansion. The Ministry of State employees were seen in a demonstration mood, stopping normal working activities at the seat of the Liberian presidency.
It is reported that their fury stemmed from Deputy Minister Cornelia Kruah-Togba informing them during a meeting that the government is terminating their services because it cannot fulfill their contracts and due to allocated resources.
Their expectation was that the meeting would result in the payment of the three months’ arrears owed since the new administration took office. However, they were let down when they learned that the Ministry of Finance was handling their payment while terminating their employment.
According to our reporter, the protestors stormed the mansion, hurling rocks and smashing furniture, forcing security guards and other staff to run for their lives. The Deputy Minister had to be smuggled out of the building because the furious staff began to target her.
The EPS dispatched riot police and backup, and the situation was brought under control. The supplemental labor force was hired by the Weah administration in anticipation of becoming regular government servants. It is not clear if the supplementary government workers will return to work this Monday.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., was not at the Executive Mansion at the time of the protest. The Liberia Leader is said to have attended a funeral service, and the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grisby was not in the meeting with the staffers.
Speaking to Presidential Press Secretary, Kula Fofana, she confirmed the standing of the government. She added that the government does not have additional funds to support the supplementary staff. According to her, the Weah government created the funds for the staffs payment illegally, which the Boakai government will not continue.
Many Liberians have taken notice of the demonstration on Friday, March 29, 2024, and have called on the security forces to assume proper control of the presidency. They observed that, as was their national responsibility, the security once more fell short of adequately defending the presideny.
