Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill Expresses Concern Over $3 Million Increase in Wage Bill

Margibi County Senator and Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Legislative Caucus, Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill, has raised concerns regarding the recent increase of $3 million in Liberia’s wage bill as part of the 2024 recast budget.

In a brief statement, Senator McGill made it clear that he did not support or vote for the 2024 recast budget, citing significant concerns about alterations made to the budget by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). According to McGill, the changes were confirmed by the findings of an Ad-hoc Committee, which highlighted that the ministry had altered the budget in a manner that raised questions about transparency and accountability.

“Let it be known that I did not vote for the 2024 recast budget due to the concerns we raised about alterations, confirmed by the Ad-hoc Committee’s report establishing that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) had altered the budget. We were not convinced that those issues were fully addressed in the recast budget,” McGill stated.

In addition to these concerns, McGill questioned the logic behind the wage bill increase of $3 million at a time when the government has been removing civil servants from the payroll. He expressed frustration that no clear explanation had been provided for this contradictory situation.

“I could not understand how the wage bill increased by an extra $3 million while the government was removing civil servants from the payroll, as this logic was unexplained,” McGill added.

Senator McGill’s remarks reflect growing unease among some lawmakers regarding the budget process and its implications for government spending and civil servant welfare. His statement highlights concerns about financial management and transparency within key government ministries.