Chief of Office Staff Wants $15K Vehicle Purchase Proposal Directed to Salary Increment

October 19, 2025

 By Lazota Bility

While Directors and Assistant Ministers in the Executive Branch reportedly earn between US$2,000 and US$3,000 monthly, with vehicles valued from US$25,000 to US$35,000, Chiefs of Office Staff (COS) at the Legislature continue to take home less than US$550 a sharp pay gap that has reignited debate over staff welfare at the House of Representatives.

In a detailed open letter addressed to Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and members of the 55th National Legislature, David U. Germu, Chief of Office Staff to the Representative of District #9, Montserrado County, expressed gratitude for the Legislature’s efforts to improve staff conditions but voiced a contrary opinion on the proposed purchase of US$15,000 vehicles for Chiefs of Staff.

“I do agree that the position of Chief of Office Staff is equivalent to an Assistant Minister or Director in the Executive Branch,” Germu acknowledged. “However, while those officials earn thousands of dollars and enjoy other benefits, we at the Legislature take home less than $550 without any means of transportation or other incentives.”

Germu commended the House’s initiatives such as salary adjustments for some staff, digitalization efforts, and transportation support, but argued that a one-time vehicle purchase does not address the deeper issue of compensation disparity between the Legislative and Executive branches.

“The move to purchase vehicles for Chiefs of Staff is well-intended, but it risks sending the wrong message about spending priorities,” he wrote. “A sustainable approach would be to increase salaries and benefits for Chiefs of Staff and other legislative staff to align with national pay harmonization standards.”

Germu further emphasized that salary increments would have long-term human capital value, improving morale, professionalism, and retention among staffers, rather than offering a temporary solution that could become a financial burden due to maintenance costs.

 “Redirecting this expenditure toward structured remuneration reform would affirm the Legislature’s commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and equity,” he stated. He clarified that his position represents his personal opinion, not that of his boss or the Chiefs of Staff Network. The proposal to purchase vehicles for all Chiefs of Office Staff currently under committee reviewhas sparked mixed reactions within legislative circles, with some seeing it as overdue recognition of staff contributions, while others, like Germu, view it as a misplaced priority amid Liberia’s economic constraints.