By Laurina B. Lormia
(Cub-Reporter)
The new Minister at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), Jerolinmek M. Piah, has promised to work with relevant institutions in government to increase the salary of staff at the Ministry.
Minister Piah who spoke extemporaneously, claimed that it is a disservice and disrespect to people in the employ of government to make far beneath the minimum wage as stipulated by the very government.
According to him, it is disheartening to know that some personnel at the Ministry are paid as low as US$40 for their monthly salary, while others are earning far more than their colleagues, noting, “This is disingenuous and disrespectful to our people. I believe in the principle that your work must be commensurate with your pay. That means, matching output with income.”
He made the statement yesterday, March 5, 2024, when he officially took office at the Ministry, where pledged to work assiduously to promote the image of the institution.
“I thank God for this day, and want to thank President Boakai for trusting me with this position as Minister of Information. MICAT is a familiar territory; I served as Deputy Minister here for Press and Public Affairs, and Acting Minister of Information, those are some of the glorious days at the Ministry of Information,” Piah said.
He said, while preparing for the establishment of the National Tourism Authority, he will coordinate with all cultural institutions, civic, non-governmental organizations, political, as well as individuals in and out of country, to ensure that Liberia’s cultural image, as well as tourism, is protected.
He thanked Madam Juli Endee for keeping the country’s cultural activities at an appreciable level, saying, “Who among you will question the innovation of the smartness of Cultural Amb. Juli Endee? This madam was not appointed to the government position or operating on government pocket. She took personal initiative just to portray our national heritage, and I believe it was done in national interest.”
“The Cultural Troupe is a symbol of our cultural background; we will continue to look to them and support them. I want to commit by ensuring that the Cultural Troupe has a home, and will be a fundamental project of the Ministry of Information.”
Meanwhile, tourism is a part of the President’s agenda, to create a National Tourism Authority; it will be our work to help the President to pass that instrument that will help the National Tourism Authority. I have been watching the turning over ceremony since I came, and this is the first one where you have the outgoing Minister present,” Piah narrated.
“The Ministry was established with a PRC decree number 46, and hasn’t changed much over years since that time. In the era of information technology where fake news, gossip, and propaganda spread faster than the truth, this is one of the changed landscapes that we will be involved with for communication, and promoting the cultural heritage of our country, and creating a strategy plan that will attract tourists to Liberia.”
He concluded, “I am the new Minister and the story must change. How can you have people working for the Ministry of Information and earning US$40? And they pay their way to come to work every day, how can that happen, when we the senior government officials can take pay and take care of our families the way we want, why don’t we think they deserve the same?
“I have come with open arms, and all of you at MICAT are in my heart, and all of those things that effect your wellbeing will be an uncompromising priority of this new administration,” he assured.
