By Precious D Freeman
The Executive Director of Public Procurement and concession (PPCC), Roseline Kowo, has disclosed that actionable step needs to be taken in order to fight combat corruption in Liberia.
According to her, she is fostering stronger collaboration with international partners, engagement with key stakeholders and the media as well as putting in measures against corruption.
She made the statement at the National Integrity Forum (NIF) one-day dialogue with officials and members of the Liberian business community held over the weekend in Sinkor in continuation of efforts to make Liberia a corruption free country.
She emphasized that there’s a need for stakeholders to take delivery of their services and increase awareness amongst the people about the menace it will pose on the state.
The PPCC Boss asserted that they are aware of the challenges and trials but, in the midst of the challenges and trials they should be determined to execute the mandate and ensure that government liaise with its development partners to mitigate corruption crises.
“We need to be dedicated as governing body and want to hear your challenges, recommendations and way forward for the common goal and in the interest of our country and people,” the PPCC Executive noted.
Atty. Kowo who is also the Chairperson of the NIF cautioned the business sector to collaborate and create a policy because they’re committed to doing such noting. “We want to know what you want as business sector because what you tell us is what that we will propose to them and we don’t want to misrepresent what will be said,” she intimated.
She maintained that such dialogue can help minimize the process as it brought together officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce, Liberia Business Association, the Liberia Marketing Association, Petty Traders, government, international partners and donors among others.
For his part the Executive Director of Cental for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) Anderson Maimen said that this is a great initiative, hoping that government partners with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Business sector and In’t partners in the interest of the country.
He stated that to provide a good sector is to be vibrant and effective “and that is why we form this forum to better understand and outline your challenges and find amicable way to address it.
The CENTAL boss thanked the NIF for such educative forum that will enlighten the mind of business heads.
Two panel discussions were held under the topics: “Rebranding the Liberian Business Climate for Economic Growth and Development,” and “Formalization of Informal Markets: Opportunities and Challenges.”
Participants frankly outlined hindrances confronting the business community, especially local businesses. They were also afforded the opportunity to proffer recommendations and a roadmap was developed for improvement.
Participants added that unstable interest rate has been placed on Liberian-owned businesses for which something needs to be done.
Established in 2010, the National Integrity Forum is a multi-stakeholder group that seeks more collaborative effort of integrity institutions in government, civil society and business. It seeks to assist in the fight against corruption through capacity building, sensitization, dialogue and other well-meaning efforts to rectify the unbearable effects of corruption and promote a culture of integrity in Liberia.
Members of the NIF include: The Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Governance Commission (GC), Liberia Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI), General Auditing Commission (GAC), National Elections Commission (NEC), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Law Reform Commission (LRC), Accountability Lab Liberia and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL).
With funding from the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the NIF is being supported by CENTAL under its National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) Program. NIBA seeks to, among other things, empower citizens with relevant pieces of information to demand for and take actions against corruption in Liberia.
