-Chief of Staff Gen. Ziankahn put in charge of handling the matter
By our Staff Writer
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been meeting with wives of aggrieved soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and assured them of government’s commitment to resolving the compulsory savings they claim the Defense Ministry owe their husbands.
A probe into the Compulsory Contribution Fund of the AFL revealed that “US$1,147, 656.35 was withdrawn and expended outside the intended purpose for which the scheme was created.”
According to the report dated January 12, 2018, a copy of which is in the possession of www.newspublictrust.com from within the corridor of power, findings from the investigation show “inconsistency in payment”.
The deductions of US$20 and US$25 from each AFL enlisted man and officer respectively has been going on since July 2009.
The soldiers’ wives were escorted to President Sirleaf’s private residence in the Sinkor suburb of Monrovia by AFL Chief of Staff Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn on Thursday.
Outgoing President Sirleaf told the wives of the soldiers that government will pay the money into the soldiers’ accounts over a period of time, but the timeline was not given.
“I, as well as the President-elect have been briefed by the Chief of Staff of the AFL.” she revealed.
The aggrieved wives of AFL soldiers last week staged a street protest, blocking the main road leading to Roberts International Airport, which hampered the free flow of traffic in demand of their husbands’ compulsory savings.
The outgoing Commander-In-Chief of the AFL commended the wives of the soldiers for the professional services their husbands exhibited on behalf of the country.
“Let me use this time to commend you for allowing your beloved husbands to serve our country,” the Liberian leader noted.
Sirleaf thanked the wives of AFL soldiers for their patience in addressing their concerns, stressing that the Chief of Staff – Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn will take charge of the matter instead of the Minister of National Defense.
The AFL investigation Committee’s report, which is signed by Chief of Staff, General Ziakahn, recommends that “no withdrawal should be authorized from the AFL Pension Account until the policy for the management of the said account is approved.”
It has also recommended that the AFL Pension Funds Account be separated from other transactions and a comprehensive data of each personnel contribution be made from August 2009 to date.
The report said AFL personnel need to be given details of their contribution at least every six months, the report recommended.
Meanwhile, President Sirleaf has praised the AFL Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Ziankahn “for the constructive role he has played in handling the situation.