By: Gabriel M. C. Parker
Bomi County – The Coordinator of the Bomi County Service Center, Taweh Johnson, has expressed serious concern over the lack of compensation for individuals volunteering at the center.
Johnson noted that the absence of salaries or stipends is causing low morale and declining interest among those offering their services.
Speaking on the opening day of a four-day gathering organized by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in Bomi County, Johnson underscored the urgent need for financial support for volunteers working at the center.
He emphasized that the primary goal of the County Service Center is to decentralize government services and make them accessible to citizens nationwide.
However, he cautioned that this goal cannot be achieved without adequate support for service providers.
“One of the key issues we have at the center is that most of the staff assigned here are still volunteering,” Johnson stated. “This makes it difficult for them to fully commit their time and energy, especially when they have no financial support.”
Johnson further explained that the lack of compensation has led to a decline in interest and availability among service providers, many of whom are struggling to balance unpaid work with their personal financial obligations.
He disclosed that while the center continues to generate revenue through services such as birth certificate issuance, business registration, marriage certificates, and other civil documents, many of the staff remain off the government payroll.
“This is discouraging to those who are working hard to keep the center functional,” he said. “It’s only fair that they are compensated for the services they provide to citizens.”
Johnson warned that the current situation threatens the effectiveness and sustainability of the Bomi County Service Center. He therefore called on the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to prioritize placing the center’s staff on payroll to ensure the continuity of service delivery.
The four-day gathering brought together representatives from various county service centers, government ministries, and agencies to discuss challenges, share best practices, and strengthen decentralized service delivery across Liberia.
