Published: August 8, 2025
PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado County – Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Chairman Clarence Massaquoi on Thursday publicly rejected claims that he and fellow commissioners are receiving inflated salaries and fuel benefits, dismissing the widely circulated figures as “misinformed” and politically motivated.
Speaking on state broadcaster ELBC, Massaquoi said the LTA leadership has come under unfair scrutiny over a leaked payroll document that inaccurately portrays commissioners’ compensation as excessive, allegedly including a net salary of US$10,000 and more than US$3,600 in monthly generator fuel.
“The actual net salary of a commissioner is around US$4,800 after deductions,” Massaquoi said. “I’m willing to show my payslip or even give you the message from our finance office. What people are spreading out there is simply false.”
The remarks mark the first time the LTA Chairman has publicly addressed the huge salary allegation, which started last year when a leaked internal payroll sheet made its way onto social media, triggering public backlash in a country where millions live in poverty and civil service wage reforms remain a national demand.
Leaked Payroll Provoked Public Fury
The controversy began with a payroll document showing each commissioner at the LTA receiving a package of more than US$15,000 monthly, including:
- Basic salary: US$7,861
- Housing allowance: US$1,200
- Transportation: US$1,572
- Generator fuel: US$3,622
- Operational fuel (200 gallons): US$966
- Scratch cards: US$300
Massaquoi: “Do the Math”
On the contentious generator fuel benefit, Massaquoi called the US$3,622 figure “pure fabrication,” stating that LTA commissioners receive roughly 200 gallons of fuel per month, amounting to US$800 to US$900 depending on pump prices.
“Do the math,” he said. “No one is receiving US$3,000 worth of generator gas. That’s just not factual.”
He added that LTA is complying with a government-wide policy directive issued nearly seven months ago, which standardizes fuel and transportation benefits for public officials across all agencies.
Transport and Vehicle Reforms
Massaquoi also outlined an ongoing internal review of LTA’s benefits structure, which will soon require commissioners to choose between a taxable transportation allowance, currently around US$1,000, or an official vehicle capped at US$45,000 in value.
“You can’t take both,” he said. “At present, all commissioners are using their personal vehicles and receiving the allowance. But once someone opts for an LTA vehicle, the allowance stops.”
Transparency Pledge
Massaquoi offered to make his payroll details public and encouraged journalists to contact the LTA’s Controller for verification.
“Before I leave, I’ll give you the number of our Controller. Go and ask for my payslip. We have nothing to hide,” he said. “Transparency is not optional. I took an oath before the Senate, and that oath is not a joke—it’s a duty to tell the truth to the Liberian people.”
Honnah Previously Denied Claims
In February, commissioner Patrick Honnah also pushed back on the salary claims and challenged anyone with contrary evidence to produce it. Honnah said the current administration had reduced perks inherited from the previous regime, including the cancellation of scratch card allowances and a scale-back of fuel benefits.
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