The Ministry of Finance says it has started the payment of retroactive salaries of civil servant as mandated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, thereby meeting her 10-day deadline.

In her annual message to the National Legislature last Monday, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced the immediate increment of $25.00 salary for civil servants in the government. The Liberian leader said the payment will be retroactive beginning July 2012.

President Sirleaf, in her Annual Message instructed Finance Minister Amara Konneh to go ahead with the payment within a period of 10 days.

A release from the Ministry of Finance said the Department of Expenditure and Debt Management has also rolled out the Direct Deposit Scheme in several parts of Liberia, including Sinoe, Maryland, Lofa, Nimba and Bong Counties. Other areas impacted by the Scheme also include Grand Gedeh and Cape Mount counties.

The Ministry of Finance called on civil servants to proceed to the commercial banks within their counties to receive their retroactive payment which is already in effect.

The Ministry said those civil servants who do not have accounts with the local banks should liaise with their Ministries or agencies to complete the account opening process.