Monrovia, Liberia – The Executive Director of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has called on public officials to declare their assets in accordance with the law, noting that the process has been slow. This comes amid a wake-up call issued by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai for all public officials to declare their assets during the third cabinet retreat. The turnout of the assets Declaration is not encouraging according to the LACC.
On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Alexandra Zoe, the Executive Director of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), revealed over the phone on the Truth Breakfast show, a local radio program show in Paynesville that, of the five hundred appointments made by the President, 75 individuals, including legislators, had disclosed their assets.
“Currently as we speak, the assets Declaration process has actually been slow. Base on statistics that we have, the President has made a nomination of 500 persons and as we speak, we have only 75persons declaring their asset, We think this is uncheckable.“
”We are aware that some of these nominations have a 30-day period in accordance with the code of conduct, however the majority of those appointments have passed. Therefore, we urge public servants to go to the LACC and disclose their asserts.”
Commissioner Alexandra reports that the LACC is tracking both compliance and non-compliance individuals and that on May 15, 2024, a detailed list of those in compliance with the LACC will be published.
“In addition to making sure that public officials have until the end of July to declare their assets, we will start publishing a list of those in compliance by May 15, 2024.”
According to section 10.3 of the National Code of Conduct, Madam Zoe stated that the commission will also suggest and ask the competent authorities to apply the proper punishments against government employees and public officials who do not comply.
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 into immediate suspension from office until full compliance is obtained.
Reported by: Jenneh T. Borbor
Contact: +231775299760
