By Lewis S. Teh
MONROVIA, August 18, 2026: Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung Sr. has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that public servants receive their retirement benefits on time, saying workers who have served the country for years deserve to retire with dignity.
Vice President Koung made the commitment Monday during a working visit to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), where he met Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and senior officials to discuss government finances, workers’ welfare, revenue mobilization and the fight against illicit drugs.
The Vice President first met Minister Ngafuan before holding discussions with deputy ministers, assistant ministers and directors of the ministry.
Koung commended MFDP employees for their service, particularly efforts that he said have contributed to the regular and timely payment of government workers’ salaries.
He said the Boakai administration inherited significant challenges but has made progress in stabilizing government operations and must avoid reversing those gains.
“We have managed to rescue the boat, brought it on land, repaired it, and it is now back on the sea sailing,” Koung said. “We cannot reverse the gains. We must continue to move forward in bettering the lives of our people.”
Turning to the welfare of retired public servants, the Vice President said the government has an obligation to ensure that employees leaving public service receive their benefits in a timely and dignified manner.
“If we cannot do this, we cannot leave it for others to do so. Our people should be given dignity after serving government for many years,” he said.
Finance Minister Ngafuan acknowledged longstanding challenges involving government remittances to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation, dating back to 2012.
Ngafuan said efforts are underway to settle outstanding obligations and restore confidence in the retirement system.
“A credible and functional retirement system is essential to ensuring that public servants can transition from active service with dignity and confidence,” the Finance Minister said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Koung called for increased government support to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), citing the growing threat posed by narcotics.
He urged government institutions to provide the agency with the resources, logistics and institutional support needed to combat illicit drugs.
Koung said tackling drug abuse and trafficking requires more than law enforcement, stressing the need for collective action involving government institutions, communities, parents and young people.
For his part, Minister Ngafuan thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Koung for their support and said the MFDP remains committed to strengthening domestic revenue mobilization, improving public financial management and maintaining the government’s credibility with development partners.
Ngafuan also praised employees of the Liberia Revenue Authority for their role in mobilizing government revenue.
“Our work is to ensure that the impact of the resources collected is felt by our people,” he said.
The Vice President’s visit comes as the government seeks to strengthen public financial management, address outstanding obligations to public servants and retirees, and mobilize resources to finance its development priorities.
