By: Miama Morine Pewee
Monrovia -After three months in office, government officials under the Boakai-led administration seem to be non-compliant on the implementation of the code of conduct specifically on assets declaration.
Revealing the information, Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) said out of the total number of appointed officials, only 75 persons have declared their assets including lawmakers.
This amplifies lack of transparency and accountability within Boakai’s administration, raising concerns about potential corruption or unethical practices among his appointees.
The head of Commissioners of LACC said 75% of government officials have failed to declare their assets, thereby violating the laws of Liberia.
The asset declaration at the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission is a process geared towards promoting accountability in government.
This announcement comes days after the government explained its 100-day achievement, with a huge percentage of its officials failing to declare their assets.
According to the LACC boss, out of five hundred 500 appointed government officials, only seventy-five persons have declared their assets amounting to 15%, including lawmakers of the 55th Legislature.
This development poses a question on whether Presidential Boakai is keeping track of officials of government he appointed to declare their assets after he and vice president Jeremiah Kpan Koung had exemplified.
Meanwhile, The Liberia Anti Courption Commission (LACC) Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe announced plans to publish the names of officials who have declared their assets.
She said the Commission has considered May 15, 2024 to carry out the publication, while setting July, 2024 as a deadline for annual assets declaration.
In a statement issued by the LACC early in 2024, the commission announced its commitment to collaborating with other agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, the Public Procurement and Concession Commission, the Liberia Business Registry, the National Identity Registry, and other government service providers, to impose sanctions on non-compliant officials of asset declaration.
The sanctions include withholding compensation, including salaries and bonuses; refusal or denial of government services (such as business registration, tax clearance, passport renewal, and national ID card renewal); and ineligibility for government positions.
Section 10.2 of the code of conduct as amended, section 5.2 (o) and section 4.1(g) of the New LACC Act of 2022, designates the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) as the repository for the asset declaration and verification regime of the Government of Liberia.
Additionally, section 10.1 of the code of conduct of 2014, requires every Public Official and Employee of Government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types, to sign performance or financial bonds and in addition to declare his or her income, assets, and liabilities PRIOR to taking office.
Furthermore, Section 10.2(h) of the Amended Code of Conduct provides that an official appointed by the President shall declare his/her assets not less than thirty (30) days after appointment. Failure to comply shall result to immediate suspension from the office until full compliance is obtained.
Meanwhile, on February 8, 2024, the Liberian leader declared his assets in keeping with the Code of Conduct for public officials, which mandates all public officials to declare their assets upon taking office and called those appointed to do the same.
