MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Anderson Miamen, the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), is calling on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to take concrete steps toward verifying and publishing the assets, incomes, and liabilities declared by public officials. Miamen’s demand, which he posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, February 24, 2025, emphasizes the need for greater transparency and accountability amid mounting corruption scandals within government institutions.
In his statement titled “LACC Must Verify and Report on Assets, Incomes and Liabilities Already Declared by Public Officials,” Miamen stressed that while efforts to enforce compliance with asset declaration laws are ongoing, the public deserves to see tangible results. “We have done enough and will continue to push for the remaining public officials to comply with the asset declaration and other anti-corruption laws and policies,” he wrote. He further argued that blocked salaries of non-compliant officials should be redirected to the LACC to strengthen its operational capacity.
Miamen’s call comes at a time when the LACC is conducting high-profile investigations into allegations of financial misconduct by senior government officials. One of the most controversial cases involves the suspended President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Madam Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis. Dennis is being investigated for allegedly misappropriating public funds related to the purchase of a luxury vehicle.
According to official records, Dennis authorized the disbursement of US$75,000 from NOCAL’s account in November 2024 to purchase a 2024 MG Rx8 SUV. However, documents from Cactus Motors, the dealership where the vehicle was purchased, indicate that the SUV’s actual cost was closer to US$45,000, including a discount. This substantial discrepancy has fueled accusations that Dennis inflated the purchase price and sought an additional US$30,000 in kickbacks for personal gain.
Further scrutiny revealed that a second vehicle obtained through the inflated transaction was reportedly registered under Dennis’ private company, Tanti Group of Companies. Critics, including activist Martin Kollie, argue that this move suggests an intentional effort to circumvent legal restrictions outlined in the government’s Car Import and Purchasing Policy, which limits vehicle purchases for public officials to US$45,000.
In addition to the NOCAL scandal, the LACC has also launched an investigation into Madam Joseta Neufville-Wento, the Managing Director of the National Road Fund (NRF). Neufville-Wento was summoned by the LACC on Saturday, February 22, 2025, to respond to allegations of financial mismanagement, contract fraud, and the misuse of public funds linked to infrastructure projects.
The LACC is examining contracts valued at over half a million US dollars, including a controversial deal between the NRF and Asian Liberia Investment, Inc. This company received US$160,000 in 2023 to supply 1,000 solar lamps and poles for Grand Cape Mount County. However, only 700 units were delivered, and instead of being handed over to local authorities, they were reportedly given to an individual named Idrissa Massalay. The remaining 300 units are unaccounted for, raising concerns about their actual use.
Moreover, the LACC is investigating a US$410,000 payment intended for the Madina-Cape Mount Highway project. Despite the payment being made to a company named BLINCO, no construction work was ever completed, and the funds remain missing. These irregularities have intensified public concern over the misuse of public resources intended for essential infrastructure development.
Adding to the controversy, the LACC is probing an additional payment of L$277,619 and US$1,400 to cover bar and license fees for Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, a lawyer with no formal ties to the NRF. The Commission has questioned the legitimacy of this payment, suggesting it may constitute an abuse of public funds for private benefit.
Miamen, a consistent and outspoken critic of corruption, insists that the LACC must go beyond summoning officials and ensure that asset declarations are not merely procedural but are thoroughly verified and publicly disclosed. “While we aim for more declarations, the public needs results for the information at the Commission’s disposal, covering former and current government officials,” he concluded.
His statement emphasises growing public frustration with the slow pace of anti-corruption efforts and the perception that high-ranking officials are often shielded from meaningful accountability. With Liberia facing mounting economic and governance challenges, Miamen’s call for greater transparency and the LACC’s ongoing investigations are poised to test the government’s commitment to combating corruption.
