By Godgift Harris
Tension is said to be mounting among government employees, especially within the security sector over conflicting claims from the government, and the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
The claims and counter claims regard the delayed payment of November salaries.
On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, several employees told The Inprofile newspaper that government had assured them that salaries for all ministries and agencies were already disbursed to various local banks.
But some of the workers, who had accounts at UBA say they have not received their pay, while others using different banks, have confirmed that they have been credited.
“We want the government to come out clearly and tell us what is happening. They told us our pay is ready, but UBA is saying something different,” one security officer said.
Reliable banking sources at UBA, disclosed that the institution, has not received any salary checks or official payment instructions from the government for November salaries.
“The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Central Bank of Liberia, have not sent checks to UBA for any ministry or agency,” a senior banking staff told reporters.
The matter is said to be “entirely outside the bank’s control.”
One UBA official said while some financial institutions temporarily credit government during salary delays, UBA is not willing to extend credit without clear guarantees or benefits, adding that it must operate strictly as a business entity.
The confusion has intensified anxiety among civil servants, many of whom fear they may enter December without receiving the previous month’s salary.
Some of the workers say the delay is already affecting their financial obligations, including school and rental fees.
“We are disappointed, if we finally receive this month’s salary, many of us will move our accounts to other banks,” one frustrated employee said at a UBA branch in Monrovia.
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, previously assured government workers that salaries would be paid no later than the 24th of each month; commitment employees said, has been violated without explanation.
As of Wednesday, (December 3), both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia, have remained silent on the salary standoff with UBA, leaving thousands of civil servants in uncertainty.
Many employees, who visited UBA branches were told that there was no money in their accounts.
Some expressed worry over meeting school fee deadlines for their children as the second installment is due for payment.
“This is not the first time, it has become a usual habit between the bank and the government to delay salaries for employees,” another civil servant remarked.
The situation remains unresolved as workers continue to demand clarity and accountability from both the authorities regarding the status of their November salaries.