- Daniel Sando accuses CDC of ignoring NaFAA Director Emma Glassco’s high salary while attacking LTA commissioners.
- Leaked payroll shows LTA commissioners, including Patrick Honnah, earn over $15,000 monthly.
- Glassco, a CDC member, reportedly earns more than LTA commissioners
Monrovia – Deputy Minister Daniel Sando has accused the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of being selectively outraged, calling out the party for remaining silent on the lucrative salary and benefits of NaFAA Director-General Emma Metieh Glassco while focusing criticism on the earnings of the current acting Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) commissioners.
Sando’s remarks follow the leak of a payroll document that has sparked public outcry over the “extravagant salaries and benefits” of LTA’s Board of Commissioners. The documents revealed that each LTA commissioner receives a total of $15,449 per month, which includes a basic salary of $7,861, $1,572 for transportation, $1,200 for a housing allowance, $3,622 for generator fuel, $966 for operational fuel (200 gallons), and $300 for scratch cards.
The controversy has particularly centered on Patrick Honnah, one of the LTA commissioners, who had previously criticized public officials for earning over $10,000 a month during former President George Weah’s administration. Honnah has come under fire for allegedly enjoying the same financial benefits he once condemned. In response, Honnah has denied the allegations, asserting that his monthly salary does not amount to $7,861. He also challenged Martin K. N. Kollie, an exiled Liberian activist, who accused him of hypocrisy, suggesting that Honnah is now living the high life he once spoke against.
As this debate rages, Sando has turned the spotlight onto the CDC, accusing the opposition party of ignoring similar issues within its own ranks. He specifically pointed out that Emma Metieh Glassco, a prominent CDC member, receives a salary and benefits package that rivals or exceeds those of the LTA commissioners. “Emma Glassco, the boss of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, earns more in salary and benefits than the LTA commissioners,” Sando asserted, highlighting what he sees as a clear double standard.
Sando provided a detailed breakdown of Glassco’s earnings, alleging that she receives a $7,000 monthly salary, $3,000 in allowances, and $3,000 in non-taxable sundry benefits. In addition, Glassco reportedly receives 150 gallons of fuel for her vehicle, valued at $742.50, a $300 communication allowance, and 450 gallons of fuel for her home generator. NaFAA also allegedly pays for four security guards at her residence.
“Have you asked yourself why CDCians are not talking about it?” Sando questioned, pointing out the CDC’s silence regarding Glassco’s substantial pay. He suggested that the focus on figures like Honnah is a calculated effort to distract from the generous compensation packages enjoyed by their own members within the government.
Sando’s sharp critique highlights a perceived issue within the Boakai administration—what he believes is a tendency to shield certain officials from accountability based on their political affiliations while scrutinizing others for political gain. By contrasting the treatment of figures like Honnah with that of CDC members like Glassco, Sando positions the Unity Party as a champion of fairness and transparency in a politically charged environment.
As the controversy over government salaries continues to dominate public discourse, Sando’s pointed remarks are likely to resonate with a Liberian public increasingly weary of perceived double standards among the political elite. The CDC’s silence on Glassco’s pay, contrasted with their vocal criticism of LTA commissioners, could become a significant talking point in the ongoing political battle between the Unity Party and the Coalition for Democratic Change.
The debate over government compensation was ignited by the revelation of the hefty salaries and benefits received by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority’s Board of Commissioners. The leaked payroll revealed that each commissioner receives a total of $15,449 per month, sparking widespread public outcry, particularly given the economic challenges facing Liberia.
Patrick Honnah, a key figure among the LTA commissioners, has denied the accuracy of the leaked figures, particularly the claim that his basic salary is $7,861. Honnah, who was once a vocal critic of high government salaries during the George Weah administration, has faced accusations of hypocrisy, particularly from activist Martin K. N. Kollie. The controversy has deepened political tensions in Liberia, with both the ruling Unity Party and the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change accusing each other of double standards and political maneuvering.
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