By Bill W. Cooper
The deadline for the asset exit declaration for Government officials has expired, yet several high-ranking officials have failed to comply with the ultimatum from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The lack of adherence to this crucial process in the midst of transition from one administration to another, has raised questions about transparency and accountability, as well as the LACC’s inability to fight corruption.
The Asset Exit Declaration is a crucial mechanism implemented by the government to track and monitor the financial activities of officials who are leaving their positions after service, as those taking on public offices.
The declaration further aims to ensure that public servants are accountable for their wealth and assets, preventing illicit gains or corruption when serving in government.
It can be recalled that the LACC, through its Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandria Zoe, set December 12, 2023 as the deadline for outgoing officials of government to declare their assets, in keeping with the Code of Conduct.
The deadline has since expired, but with the non-compliance from huge majority of government officials, concerns have now been raised about the commitment to transparency and the accountability of those in power.
But in reaction, the LACC, through its Vice Executive Chairperson, Ernest Hughes, said, “The Board of Commissioners (BoC) of the LACC is pleased to report that government officials, governed by Liberia’s Code of Conduct are responding overwhelmingly to the Commission’s mandate to disclose assets and other financial information.”
“As at the December 12, 2023, deadline, the LACC has received close to 100 declarations from government officials across Ministries, Agencies and Commissions,” the LACC Vice Chair revealed.
Addressing a news conference recently in Congo Town, Hughes explained that the deadline for government officials to declare assets and other financial information expired on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
He maintained, “However, we are made aware that several government officials are currently away from the country on official business and have been unable to declare their assets or other financial information.”
“So, given that Liberia’s current declaration system does not support remote declarations, i.e., a declarant must come in person to our offices, we encourage those officials away on official duties to come to LACC and comply immediately on their return,” he noted.
According to Vice Chair Hughes, the Commission’s consideration is not an extension of the deadline, rather, an opportunity to provide those government officials an opportunity to comply.
He, at the same time, disclosed that the LACC is currently compiling a list of compliant and non-compliant government officials, and beginning next week, the Commission will publish listings of compliant and non-compliant government officials.
This, Hughes added, “The LACC will follow a stringent approach and will publish the listing as follows: Ministries, Autonomous Agencies and Commissions, then Judiciary and Legislature branches, and finally, the Executive branch of government.”
The Commission, however, commended all government officials complying with the LACC mandate, encouraging government officials that have not done so to file a financial asset disclosure as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, some political pundits have been taken aback by the LACC’s failure to ensure that noncompliant government officials are punished, in confines with the LACC Act and Code of Conduct.
According to them, the failure of some government officials to meet the deadline should serve as an urgent need for the LACC to enforce the Asset Exit Declaration and take appropriate action against those who fail to adhere to this requirement.
They added, “The relevant authorities should thoroughly investigate the officials who have failed to declare their assets and enforce appropriate penalties, if necessary, that might send a clear message that non-compliance will not be tolerated.”
