By: Melvin Flomo
WhatsApp: 0778677647
Monrovia, Liberia – Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has formally petitioned the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to summon the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, for clarification over reports suggesting that salary harmonization has been reversed at key public institutions without legislative approval.
In a communication dated February 4, 2026, Senator Snowe raised serious concerns over public statements attributed to the Finance Minister, indicating a possible rollback of the National Remuneration Standardization regime at institutions including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Judiciary.
The Bomi County lawmaker described the issue as one of grave national importance, warning that any unilateral alteration of salary harmonization policies could have far-reaching consequences for governance, accountability, and constitutional order.
According to Senator Snowe, the alleged reversals raise critical legal and constitutional questions, particularly regarding legislative authorization, adherence to the approved national budget, and compliance with laws governing public sector compensation.
He emphasized that the Legislature holds the constitutional mandate to approve budgetary allocations and salary structures, noting that any deviation from such approvals without legislative consent undermines the rule of law.
Senator Snowe further argued that the National Remuneration and Standardization Act of 2019, which provides the legal framework for salary harmonization across public institutions, does not grant the Executive Branch the authority to unilaterally suspend or reverse harmonization.
In his petition, the Senator requested the Senate to exercise its oversight responsibility by inviting the Finance Minister to appear before Plenary to:
• Clarify the accuracy of reports regarding the reversal of salary harmonization; and
• Provide the legal or statutory basis under which such actions were allegedly taken, if any.
Following deliberations, the Senate Plenary voted to forward Senator Snowe’s communication to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition, and Public Accounts and Audit, with instructions to investigate the matter and report back to Plenary within two weeks.
The development comes amid heightened public scrutiny of government spending and efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in public sector compensation.
About the Author
