Monrovia – In an appearance on the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, walked Liberians through progress in social delivery, especially in roads, education, health, and energy.
Minister Ngafuan told the audience how the government has been able to make life-touching progress over a little over two years, though he admitted that the government is still confronted with huge challenges amid competing priorities.
US$1.2 Billion Domestic Revenue On Course
He disclosed that, through the collaboration of the MFDP and the Liberia Revenue Authority, the country is nearing a US$1B revenue collection within days.
Health And Education
The Minister asserted that drug supply in public hospitals has improved compared to the past.
“There are more drugs in the hospitals today than there were yesterday. There could be one or two issues, but I am saying that, in comparison with the past, the situation is better,” he stated.
He announced the ongoing total construction of the C.H. Rennie Hospital in Kakata, Margibi County.
It could be recalled that the hospital was gutted by fire during the latter days of the last administration.
As it stands, he revealed that the work has advanced to the roof level.
In the educational sector, Ngafuan announced the ongoing renovations of several public high schools across the country, including the famous Williams V.S. Tubman High, Newport High, Botsweins High, G.W. Gibson, among others, as well as the total renovation of the state-run University of Liberia (UL).
In addition to the rehabilitation works, he disclosed the government’s efforts for the construction and equipping of more than 100 schools for foundational learning across the country.
“Myself, I am a product of public schools, or what we referred to as government schools; I’m a product of Botsweins, BWI and the University of Liberia. We are producing and reproducing our young people through these schools. We are creating excellence in those schools,” he points out.
“Sometimes people make the mistake of trying to grade the government as if it has been in office for five or six years. We have not even reached the halfway point. January 22, 2027, will mark the halfway point of this government. If you grade a two-year and eight-month government as if it has been there for six years, that tells us that we are strong and that we are on course.”
Economy And Budget Procurement
Ngafuan disclosed that President Joseph Boakai will chair an Economic Management Team meeting with the Central Bank governor to review the economy and the new budget.
He indicated that implementation of the US$1.2 billion FY2026 budget is on course and that allocations are increasing for key sectors.
“We are giving more money to Public Works. We are giving more money to education. We are giving more money to almost all the sectors,” the Minister indicated, adding that LBS has also received increased subsidy.
The Minister also announced upcoming procurement reforms.
“We are on an e-procurement platform, but as good as technology is, it has brought some challenges, which we are going to address. In the next week or two, there are going to be some announcements on practical measures that we are going to take to expedite procurement,” he said.
Salary And Pension
Addressing civil servant concerns, Ngafuan asserted that the government is approaching salary increment holistically rather than through individual interventions.
“President Boakai has established a Salary Structure Review Committee chaired by the Civil Service Agency Director General, with MFDP and the Ministry of State as members. The numbers, based on the revenue situation, will determine what will be done at the appropriate time.
He said there have been some top-ups in 2025 for the health sector, where some workers received more than double their salaries, and interventions in the security sector, integrity institutions, and the judiciary.
“With the Supreme Court judges and magistrates, we are almost there,” he added.
On pensions, Ngafuan explained the budget will tackle uncertainty around NASSCORP remittances, stressing that: ” Individuals retiring to some places drag retirement. We intend to change that. We want a situation where people will look forward to retirement.”
Accordingly, touching on minimum wage, the Minister argued Liberia compares favorably regionally.
“A minimum wage, especially in Liberia… Do you know that the minimum wage in Liberia is better than Ghana’s? It is better than Sierra Leone’s. It is better than Nigeria’s. I think we need to do more, but we also have to appreciate where we are as a country.” he
Energy Projects
Speaking further,
Ngafuan narrated that the government, with support from partners including the World Bank and the EU, is funding electrification in several counties.
He named River Gee, Grand Kru and Sinoe, and cited ongoing work in Greenville, River Cess and Gbarnga.
“The Rural Renewable Energy Agency, headed by Samuel Nagbe, is working on that. Lights will soon be available,” declared.
The Minister’s comments come amid public debate over the pace of service delivery and the impact of the $1.2 billion budget.
He urged patience, stating that Boakai’s administration deserves credit for methodical reforms.
“For someone to say that this is not progress and that the minister is just talking is unfair. I don’t talk just because I want to talk. We have been working. I agree that we are not there yet completely. But if we were traveling the road from here to Gbarnga, Bong County, I would say that we are somewhere there in Totota,” added the Finance Ministry boss.
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