‘Non-Compliant Officials’ Salaries Blocked’ -As BSE, CSA Enforce Assets Declaration Mandate

The Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE) and Civil Service Agency (CSA) have begun enforcing President Joseph Boakai’s Assets Declaration mandate in a decisive move to uphold accountability and transparency within the government.
This enforcement comes on the heels of the suspension of over 500 government officials from the Executive Branch who failed to declare their assets per Liberia’s Code of Conduct (COC).
During the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the COC was established as part of the country’s broader efforts to combat corruption, a persistent issue that has plagued livelihoods for decades.
The law requires that all public officials, including those in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, submit their asset declarations while entering, leaving or being promoted to another position in government.
Upon taking over in January of 2024, President Boakai and his Vice President, Jeremiah Koung, as a means of leading by example, declared their assets and liabilities, with a call for all public officials to follow suit.
Despite continuous calls and extensions by the President, several of his officials, including those from the Legislature, have all failed to declare their assets leading to widespread skepticism and criticism from the public about the integrity of public service.
In response, President Boakai then announced the suspension without pay of all government officials who failed to declare their assets within the required time-frame, noting that his decision was by Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Section 5.2 and Section 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct.
Boakai further reminded them that asset declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in government institutions.
However, in response to the President’s mandate, the BSE revealed, “The Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency (CSA), is taking decisive action to enforce President Joseph Boakai’s mandate on assets declaration.”
In a statement issued over the weekend, the BSE, through its Director General, Arthur S. Massaquoi, also disclosed, “A recent review has revealed that 211 officials across various State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have failed to comply with this requirement.”
“As a result, the CSA has blocked their salaries on the government’s centralized payroll, and the BSE has been directed to halt salary payments for all non-compliant officials until they fulfill their legal obligations.
Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable under this administration as such, public officials must set the standard for good governance, and those who fail to comply will face consequences,” the BSE Boss asserted.
Massaquoi added, “The BSE urges all heads of State-Owned Enterprises and affected officials to rectify their status immediately to avoid further delays in salary payments. A financial report detailing the total salaries withheld will be shared with the CSA to ensure full enforcement.”