MONROVIA – In a press conference held on August 1, 2024, Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), provided an update on the Asset Declaration regulation published on May 2, 2024. The regulation set a deadline of July 31, 2024, for all appointed, elected, and selected public officials to declare their assets, incomes, and liabilities. The initiative is aimed at ensuring compliance with the National Code of Conduct and LACC regulations to prevent and detect illicit enrichment, conflicts of interest, and other forms of corruption.
Cllr. Zoe emphasized the importance of this exercise in promoting transparency and accountability among public officials. “The Asset Declaration exercise is a vital tool in our fight against corruption. It enhances public trust in our institutions by holding public officials accountable and ensuring that they lead by example,” she stated.
The LACC identified 1,900 employees and public officials required to declare their assets. However, only 26.5% participated in the exercise. This low compliance rate raises concerns about the commitment of many public officials to transparency and accountability.
Legislative Branch: In the House of Representatives, out of 73 elected representatives, only 26 complied with the asset declaration requirement, while 47 did not. Among the 56 administrative staff identified, only one complied. In the Senate, 12 out of 30 elected senators declared their assets, leaving 18 non-compliant. None of the 44 administrative staff complied.
Executive Branch: Of the 1,281 officials appointed by the executive branch, only 322 complied with the declaration requirements, while 959 did not. Additionally, 84 non-appointed government employees declared their assets, bringing the total number of declarations received from the executive branch to 406.
Judiciary Branch: Out of 333 individuals required to declare their assets, only 28 complied, including seven judges and 21 administrative staff. This leaves 305 judiciary officials non-compliant.
Cllr. Zoe also noted that other staff members from all three branches of government failed to comply with the asset declaration requirements. The LACC plans to request a listing of all government institution staff, match them against current records, and address non-compliance accordingly.
The LACC’s next steps include compiling a full listing of the asset declarations and publishing them for public consumption. The commission will also recommend sanctions against non-compliant officials, such as withholding salaries or suspending them until they comply. Regular monitoring of asset declarations will be conducted to ensure ongoing compliance for new appointments and changes in positions.
To increase awareness, the LACC will launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of asset declarations and their role in combating corruption.
In closing, Cllr. Zoe thanked all public officials who participated in the exercise and demonstrated their commitment to transparency and accountability. She also expressed gratitude to the LACC team for their hard work and support during the exercise. “Together, we are making significant strides in our mission to build a corruption-free Liberia. Let us continue to work collectively to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency in all our endeavors,” she concluded.
