According to the aggrieved soldiers the Ministry of National Defense (MoD) has been deducting money from the soldiers’ paychecks since the force was restructured in 2006, even up to present. According to the soldiers, up to present, at least several thousand United States dollars has been withheld from the wages of the soldiers. He clarified that such deductions are placed into a WELFARE FUND for soldiers and it is intended to cater to the welfare of soldiers who may suffer injury or to the families of soldiers who may die on duty. Prominent among those officials expressing such concerns included Defense Minister Samukai, Deputy Civil Service Director-General Puchu Bernard, and former Lofa County Senator Kupee. Whether the MoD’s establishment of the WELFARE FUND for soldiers was indeed driven by such concerns remains unclear.

Source: GNN Liberia January 08, 2018 17:15 UTC