By Laurina B Lormia
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has launched its over 100-day report on the earliest days of President Boakai administration under the National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) program.
The program was held on Thursday June 20, 2024 in Monrovia to fight corruption, bad governance, and the adherence to the rule of law.
Giving an overview of the program, the Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, highlighted the critical role that citizens must play in combating corruption.
Miamen emphasized the importance of building integrity among public sector, institutions and engaging citizens in combating corruption, by educating the public and providing tools and platforms to report corrupt activities.
According to him, they are working with different stakeholders, both in and outside of the government, to support and promote a culture of accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance.
He reminded, “This research report launch is a core activity under our program at CENTAL. We are committed to evidence-based practices and place great importance on documenting our positions based on facts.”
He narrated, CENTAL previously conducted a “Hundred Plus Days Monitoring Report” when the Weah administration took office in 2018. Now, we are releasing a second report that evaluates the new administration of President Boakai.
“This report covers various aspects including passion, inaction, positive developments, negative occurrences, and other notable observations surrounding President Boakai’s administration,” he established.
He concluded rhat rather it will be used by the government to make the kind of impact they need to make, particularly by informing our different decisions, actions and processes.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, Johan Romare, said they strongly believe in Liberia’s upward trajectory, from the recent strong and peaceful election that garnered global attention.
According to him, Liberia is built on a solid foundation, and they appreciate the distinct roles played by civil society, the media, and the government, which continues to strengthen the country.
“As one of the key development partners in Liberia, we wholeheartedly welcome the strong message from President Boakai and his Government on accountability and the fight against corruption,” he maintained.
He concluded that, they understand that one of the biggest obstacles for government is corruption, and it is also welcoming that civil society is able to hold the President and his cabinet accountable to their promises noting, “And we look forward to seeing those promises being met with.”
Meanwhile, the Program Manager, Gerald D. Yeakula, presented the report catalogs developments in the anti-corruption space spanning the first 130-day of President Boakai administration.
According to him, from January 22, to May 9, 2024, CENTAL tracked 1,306 appointments made in government and there were noticeable delays in appointments.
Nominations to most positions took place over a three-month period following inauguration and, in some cases, were spaced apart by a week. Some appointments were not publicized.
He added, out of 1,306 appointments 38 were affected by controversies, 13 concerned appointments were changed, while 25 appointments were made ineffective by revocation, resignation, court proceedings, or refusal of current office holders.
“There was also a lack of transparency regarding appointments revoked by the President, thus, undermining the public’s right to know,” he stressed.
It has been reported that President Boakai, prior to his inauguration and lacking any constitutional, requested from NASSCORP and did receive funding to finance the purchase of five Land Cruiser SUVs valued at US$117,000 each.
“The President has been accused of bribing Legislators in a bid to influence leadership at the Legislature. There were reports that the President’s nephew and Officer-In-Charge of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Jake Kabakole, disbursed US$600,000 to contractors under questionable circumstances.”
He concluded that, the President must match his speeches with his words in taking the necessary timely and robust actions to tackle corruption.
