By Bill W. Cooper
Section 10.1 of the Code of Conduct of 2014 requires that; ‘every public official and employee of government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types, signs a performance or financial bond and in addition to declare his or her income, assets, and liabilities prior to taking office.Though there is this public outcry about the publication of declared assets by some Liberians, a debate being raised is that how can a body who is responsible to ensure assets are declared even before confirmation, itself out-rightly renege in adhering to the law.
One of those reprimanding others in government is Montserado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon who expressed disappointment and disapproval in President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s refusal to make public their assets instead of blaming his colleagues for not abiding with the law.
Dillon, who led the campaign team for President Boakai and his VP in Montserrado County during the 2023 Presidential and legislative elections further described the both leaders’ actions as “absolutely disappointing and deceptive” on grounds that it was part of their campaign messages.
However, the issue of asset declaration has been a contentious one in Liberia, with calls for public officials to be transparent about their wealth and assets in order to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.
The senator’s assertion comes days after the Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Alexandra Zoe, made the startling disclosure that of the 540 appointments made by President Boakai, only 75 of the confirmed officials have declared their assets.
Meanwhile, all government officials who have refused to declare their assets are already in total violation of Section 10.1 of the Code of Conduct of 2014 and Section 10.2(h) of the Amended Code of Conduct.
While 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 30 days after appointment and that failure to comply shall result in immediate suspension from office until full compliance is obtained.
Even though President Boakai and VP Koung declared their assets and liabilities to the LACC in keeping with law, their refusal to disclose their assets declared, though not illegal, have raised eyebrows and sparked criticisms from several Liberians including CSOs, and others.
Speaking when he appeared on Spoon FM over the weekend, Dillon maintained, “I am becoming more frustrated over the President and his Vice President refusal to publish their assets because it was exactly what we promised Liberians during our camping.”
“However, I applaud the President and his VP for declaring but they need to go beyond just declaring and publish because with that, you would be instituting a policy that all officials of government will be compelled to follow and that is leadership,” he asserted.
According to him, the issue of transparency and accountability in government is key and as such, public officials have a sole responsibility to be open and honest about their financial interests.
The Montserrado County Senator further criticized President Boakai and Vice President Koung for failing to uphold this responsibility, accusing them of trying to hide their wealth from the public they made commitment of openness to.
Meanwhile, Dillon also expressed frustration in all of the government officials and the senators who are yet to declare and publish their assets and liabilities in keep with the Code of Conduct of Liberia.
The senator pointed out that asset declaration is a legal requirement for public officials in Liberia, as mandated by the Code of Conduct Act and as such, there is need for those appointed by the President to declare their assets now or be punished in keep with law.
He at the same time called on President Boakai to prevail on his officials to comply with the law and declare their assets without further delay something he said is key for this administration in keeping with its proposed of transparency and accountability.
