NATIONAL NEWS

MONROVIA – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has commended the Ministry of Finance for its critical role in managing the government’s financial operations, while urging the ministry to intensify its support for President Joseph Boakai’s reform agenda.

By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com

Vice President Koung made the remarks during a visit to the Ministry of Finance, where he praised the institution for its demanding workload and acknowledged its role in ensuring that government salaries and other financial obligations are paid on time.

He described the Ministry of Finance as one of the government’s most heavily burdened institutions, noting that its ministers, technical staff, and other employees handle critical responsibilities that keep government operations running.

Koung Praises Timely Salary Payments

The Vice President specifically commended the ministry for the regular payment of government salaries, describing the development as an indication of the amount of work being carried out by the institution.

“The Ministry of Finance is one of the most overloaded ministries. All the ministers here, deputy and assistant ministers including the technicians, we know the kind of work you do. So I want to thank you,” Vice President Koung said.

He noted that the regular payment of salaries represents an important responsibility, but stressed that the government still has significant work ahead.

“The issues of salaries are now very regular. So that’s how much work you are doing but we need to do more because there are a lot of work to do in the country,” he added.

Support for Government Restructuring

Vice President Koung urged the Finance Ministry to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to restructure the country’s public sector and improve the delivery of government services.

He referenced President Joseph Boakai’s call for national restructuring, noting that the administration’s initial years in office were focused on stabilizing and rescuing the country.

“President Boakai always said the country needs restructuring, the first three years was to rescue the country,” Koung said.

He called for the ministry to play a stronger role in supporting initiatives aimed at improving salaries, assisting small businesses, and addressing challenges within the transportation sector.

According to the Vice President, these areas require coordinated government action and adequate financial support if the administration’s broader development objectives are to be achieved.

Koung Calls for More Funding to Fight Drugs

The Vice President also called for increased budgetary support for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) as the government intensifies efforts to combat illicit drugs.

He said strengthening the country’s response to the drug crisis requires adequate resources for the institutions responsible for enforcing drug laws and protecting communities.

The call comes amid growing government attention to illicit drug trafficking and abuse, with the administration seeking to strengthen the capacity of the national security and law enforcement institutions involved in the fight.

Ngafuan Pledges Greater Support

Finance Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan thanked Vice President Koung for visiting the ministry and for his continued support at the level of the Cabinet.

Minister Ngafuan pledged that the Finance Ministry would continue doing more to support the government’s priorities and ensure the timely implementation of its programs.

He described his role as Finance Minister as similar to that of a choir director, emphasizing the need to coordinate the various financial and technical responsibilities of the ministry.

“My job as Minister of Finance is like a choir director,” Ngafuan said.

He thanked the Vice President for the support provided to the ministry, particularly when officials present programs and plans for consideration at the Cabinet level.

“Mr. Vice President, we say thanks for all the support you have been given us at the level of the cabinet. Because some of the things we achieve, we need support,” Ngafuan said.

He explained that the ministry sometimes presents its programs and plans to the Vice President to secure his backing before taking them to Cabinet.

“Sometimes we will pass some of our programs and plans to get his buy-in and so when we go to the cabinet he supports us hugely,” the Finance Minister added.

Focus on Government Priorities

The exchange between Vice President Koung and Finance Minister Ngafuan highlighted the central role of the Ministry of Finance in implementing the administration’s policies and maintaining government operations.

With responsibility for managing public finances, preparing and implementing the national budget, and supporting government programs, the ministry is expected to remain central to the administration’s restructuring and development agenda.

Vice President Koung’s call for additional support for salary adjustments, small businesses, transportation, and the fight against illicit drugs underscores the growing demand for public resources as the government seeks to address economic and social challenges.

The Finance Ministry, for its part, has pledged to strengthen its efforts to support the administration’s priorities and ensure that approved programs are implemented in a timely and effective manner.