Monrovia, Liberia – September 19, 2025 — The Authorities of Liberia, via the Ministry of Finance and Improvement Planning (MFDP), has confirmed that excellent funds totaling US$7 million owed to timber employees will likely be disbursed on to particular person employees, slightly than via any group or union claiming illustration.
In current weeks, two rival factions, each asserting authority over the Timber Staff Union, have laid declare to those funds, which the federal government has put aside to settle arrears for companies rendered within the timber sector. Authorities have made it clear that no lump-sum fee will likely be made to any union or management construction.
On Friday, a small personnel gathered on the MFDP demanding fast fee. Deputy Minister for Financial Administration, Dephue Y. Zuo, addressed the protesters, assuring them that the federal government stays dedicated to fulfilling its obligations. He emphasised that each one funds will likely be made solely to verified particular person timber employees, including that an MFDP workforce will conduct a verification train to make sure legitimacy. “No illustration or union will obtain the funds on behalf of the employees,” Minister Zuo affirmed.
The clarification follows a current stop-payment order on a US$200,000 cheque issued to the Liberty Legislation Agency, amid disputes over union illustration. A faction of the union contested the regulation agency’s authority to gather the funds, prompting the MFDP to droop the fee. Daniel Nyakonah, Jr., Communications Guide at MFDP, said that each one claims will bear thorough vetting earlier than disbursement, stressing that strict measures are being carried out to guard authorities funds.
Earlier funds totaling US$120,000 and LD14 million to Legal professional Tupee A. Taylor of the Liberty Legislation Agency had been halted after different union members claimed entitlement. The Central Financial institution of Liberia promptly issued a stop-payment order. At the moment, US$500,000 has been budgeted for timber employee arrears, and due diligence will now be strictly enforced. Shifting ahead, the Forestry Improvement Authority (FDA) will submit vouchers to the MFDP, which will likely be reviewed by the Authorized Workplace and Debt Administration Unit earlier than last approval by the Comptroller Basic.
These protests date again to 2006, following the departure of 27 logging corporations after sector reforms, leaving many Liberians unpaid for work carried out between 1989 and 2003. The federal government reiterates that each one claims will likely be verified individually to make sure rightful beneficiaries obtain their funds.
