By: T. Lula Jaurey tqlulajaurey@gmail.com
IPNews-Monrovia-Liberia-Wednesday 28 November 2018: The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has alarmed over constant refusal of members of the National Legislature to conform to all provisions of the code of conduct law.
The LACC sated that the refusal of the non-compliant posture by members of the both Houses of the National Legislature violates the safeguard standards of behaviors working in the public sector.
The LACC report of zero compliance of the legislature according to political pundits is extremely worrisome and needs urgent attention.
The report indicates further that with over four hundred and sixty officials of the executive branch of government, only ninety-two constituting twenty percent have declared their assets; while, the legislature is being fully non-compliant, in accordance with the LACC standards.
Part X; section 10.1 of the code of conduct states that “every public official and employee of government involved in making decision affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types shall sign performance or finance bonds and shall in addition declare his or her income, assets and liabilities prior to taking office and thereafter: at the end of every three years; on promotion or progression from one level to another, upon transfer to another public office; and upon retirement or resignation.
In a related development, the Executive Director of CENTAL Speaking to this paper on Monday, November 26, at his Sinkor office, indicated that as the body receiving and reviewing audit reports from the General Auditing Commission, persistent failure to be audited as well as refusal to comply with asset declaration requirement runs contrary to their mandate as direct representatives of the people.
It is ironical that the legislature will violate law passed by them, when they should be pursuing and leading efforts aimed at helping to safeguard public resources; Anderson Miamen added.
“With allegations of public officials acquiring and developing multiple properties, with barely one year in power, seriously undermines and brings into question the transparency credentials of the government, whose pro-poor agenda should be grounded on unprecedented levels of good governance, transparency and integrity,” he further asserted.
Miamen emphasizes the need for the legislature to follows the very good example of the judiciary in complying with the code of conduct for public officials; as direct representative of the people.
He further noted that “the legislature leads by example in championing transparency and accountability in government. That the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and other relevant agencies of government independently and timely verify and publish assets, income, and liabilities declared by current government officials and importantly, also, the commission must verify and publish assets, income, and liabilities declared by former officials of the Sirleaf-led government, while leaving office.”
Part X, Section 10.3 further states that “every public official and employee of government shall declare and affirm that his or her declaration is accurate to the best of his or her knowledge. Any statement in such declaration found to be false upon verification shall lead to summary dismissal and other measures provided by law
Section 10.2 also states that “the declaration of personal interest, income, assets, liabilities and the performance bond as many be required, shall be lodged with: in the legislative branch, with the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representative; in the executive branch, with the general auditing commission; and in the judicial branch with the clerk of the supreme court, and in each event such receipt shall be notified to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
All such declarations shall be accessible to both the public employee and the general public upon a court order; as well as to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the general auditing commission (GAC) for investigating purposes.
The declaration shall be promptly updated by public officials and employees of government upon subsequent changes in his or her interest and/or assets. Each declaration along with the updates thereto shall include disclosure of income, assets, liabilities, net worth, financial and family interests held by the official.
