The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) has strongly refuted allegations circulating on social media that its top executives receive exorbitant monthly salaries and benefits, describing the claims as false, misleading, and intended to tarnish the institution’s image.
Speaking amid growing public debate over compensation packages within government institutions, NOCAL Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Emmanuel Azango, said no official of the state-owned oil company earns more than US$8,000 in gross monthly salary and benefits.
The clarification follows widespread social media reports alleging that the president of NOCAL earns as much as US$31,000 per month, while vice presidents reportedly receive US$25,000 each monthly in salary and benefits.
Azango dismissed the assertions as “total misinformation,” insisting that they bear no resemblance to the corporation’s authorized compensation structure.
“The allegation is false. No officer of the National Oil Company of Liberia makes more than US$8,000 gross monthly in salary and benefits,” Azango stated in a post published on his Facebook page.
The controversy emerged shortly after comments made by Central Bank of Liberia Deputy Governor-designate for Economic Policy, Euphemia Swen-Monmia, during her Senate confirmation hearing. Swen-Monmia disclosed that she earns approximately US$9,000 in monthly salary, in addition to cash benefits estimated at US$5,000 and a housing allowance of about US$15,000.
Her disclosure sparked widespread public discussion regarding salaries and benefits received by senior government officials, prompting speculation about compensation levels at other public entities, including NOCAL.
Responding to the claims, Azango criticized individuals whom he described as self-styled bloggers for allegedly spreading unverified information aimed at influencing public opinion.
“It is truly sad and disingenuous that some individuals posing as bloggers would sit behind a keyboard and carelessly manufacture lies in an attempt to manipulate public sentiment without any effort to verify the information,” he said.
According to the finance chief, all NOCAL compensation packages are subject to established governance and financial procedures. He emphasized that salaries and benefits must be properly authorized, budgeted, documented, and reflected in the corporation’s official financial records.
“As Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, I have no knowledge of any inflated self-reported salary figures circulating online,” Azango noted. “As a public corporation, NOCAL compensation must be properly authorized, documented, budgeted, and reflected in the institution’s financial records.”
He further argued that if the figures being circulated cannot be traced to approved payroll records, corporate budgets, board authorizations, or official financial documents, their credibility remains highly questionable.
