The Ministry of the Interior has moved to address growing unrest among security services personnel regarding a recent 20 percent tax deduction applied to their rent allowances. In a formal statement released by its Public Affairs and Communications Unit, the Ministry clarified that it is not the entity behind the fiscal adjustment, which has been a subject of intense media scrutiny in recent days.
The Ministry stated that it does not have the legal authority or administrative mandate to unilaterally deduct taxes from the allowances of security personnel. Instead, the Ministry identified the Ministry of Finance as the body responsible for the action. The deductions were reportedly made at source, a process where taxes are collected before the funds reach the recipient’s account, in direct compliance with established national tax laws as interpreted by finance officials.
This clarification comes amid concerns within various security agencies that the deductions might represent a new or unauthorized policy change. To mitigate these concerns, the Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the government continues to prioritize the welfare of its security forces.
The statement concluded by urging all personnel to remain calm, offering a firm assurance that the government will not “short change” those serving in the security sector and remains dedicated to upholding their financial interests.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
