The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has revealed a concerning trend of non-compliance among government officials regarding asset declaration. According to LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandria Zou, only 207 out of 500 officials have complied with the mandate to declare their assets. This figure highlights that about 60% of officials have yet to fulfill this crucial obligation.
Cllr. Zou emphasized that the pronouncement made by her office is aimed at strengthening good governance and igniting the fight against corruption in Liberia. Despite this goal, the current rate of compliance is alarmingly low.
However, there has been some progress. The number of government officials declaring their assets has risen from 15% to 40% in recent months. This increase, though modest, indicates a growing awareness and responsiveness among officials following recent pronouncements by the LACC.
The Liberia Code of Conduct mandates that all government officials must declare their assets upon assuming office. The LACC Executive Chairperson hairperson highlighted that asset declaration is a legal and ethical requirement for public officials. The declaration must be done within 30 days of appointment, a rule that many officials have ignored.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission Boss noted that the 207 declarations received cover officials in the Legislature and the Executive branch only. She stressed the need for agencies and corporations headed by government officials to join this compliance effort swiftly.
The LACC has set a new deadline of July 31st for all government officials to declare their assets, extending the initial timeframe to provide additional time for compliance.
Since the initial announcement a month ago, when only 75 out of 500 officials had declared their assets, there has been a rapid increase in compliance. This surge suggests that public officials are beginning to take the matter more seriously.
Cllr. Zou also clarified that the LACC is not obligated to publicly announce the names of officials who have declared their assets. This discretion is in line with the LACC law, which makes it optional for individuals to disclose their declarations publicly.
The extension of the deadline and the increase in compliance are steps forward, but the challenge remains substantial.
The LACC says it is committed to ensuring that all officials comply with the asset declaration requirement, as it is a critical component of accountability and transparency in governance.
While there has been progress, the LACC’s report underscores the urgent need for full compliance with asset declaration laws to bolster good governance and combat corruption effectively in Liberia.
