Monrovia – The House of Representatives, in its fourth day of the third session of the first quarter of the 55th Legislature, has unanimously voted to summon top officials from the Ministries of Education and Health to account for delays in the payment of teachers’ salaries and the placement of volunteer teachers and healthcare workers on the government payroll.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The cited officials are expected to appear alongside representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
The action stems from a communication by Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony F. Williams, who raised concerns over unpaid teachers, particularly the USD component of salaries owed since October 2025. The communication also requested a detailed breakdown of volunteer teachers, nurses, and doctors added to the payroll for 2025 and 2026, including their names, assigned schools or health centers, and dates of inclusion.
Representative Williams emphasized the urgency, noting that salary delays have created financial strain for educators and healthcare workers, potentially undermining morale and the overall quality of services in classrooms and health centers. The officials are scheduled to appear before the House on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
In a related development, the House has invited MNG Gold Liberia Inc., the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appear on the same day. The invitation follows a communication by Bong County District #5 Representative Eugine J.M. Kollie concerning the Exploration Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) initially signed in 2002 with AMLIB United Minerals Inc., later acquired by MNG Gold Liberia in 2014.
Representative Kollie noted that the current MDA is highly centralized and does not provide adequate social development benefits to affected communities in Bong County. He urged the Legislature to collaborate with the Executive and local stakeholders to renegotiate the agreement and called for a temporary halt to MNG Gold’s underground mining operations if necessary until a mutually beneficial arrangement is reached.
“Continued marginalization of our communities violates fundamental rights and deprives our people of fair benefits from their mineral resources,” he said.
The House’s actions reflect growing legislative oversight of government payroll management and the mining sector, signaling a commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizen welfare.
