IPNEWS: Montserrado county Senator Abraham Darius Dillion is calling for a Senate probe into what he calls a ‘blatant violation of the code of conduct’ by both the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), and some public officials refusing to declare their assets in keeping with Law.
Senator Dillion speaking on the OK FM morning Programme, stated that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has no authority to grant “deadline” for assets declaration.
Section10.3 of the National Code of Conduct of 2014, requires every public official and employee of Government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types, to sign performance or financial bonds and in addition to declare his or her income, assets, and liabilities prior to taking office.
Furthermore, 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 thirty (30) days after appointment. Failure to comply shall result into immediate suspension from office until full compliance is obtained.
Sen. Dillion insists that the Law (Code of Conduct) is very clear and instructive, stressing that there is no room for flexibility; it mandates that assets and liabilities be declared PRIOR to taking office and failure, refusal to do so is a gross violation for which the appropriate actions must be taken in keeping with the Law. Suspension. Dismissal. Withholding of Monthly salary, etc.
The Montserrado county Senator vowed to lobby for a sum0ons of the LACC upon return to Plenary Session next week, noting that he will make the case with other Colleagues to summon the LACC over this matter.
Senator Dillion’s outburst comes in the wake of Wednesday, May 8, 2024, revelation that regardless of the mandate by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for all public officials to declare their assets during the third cabinet retreat, the turnout of the assets declaration were still not encouraging.
LACC Executive Director, Alexandra K. Zoe, called on public officials to declare their assets in keeping with the law, noting that out of the five hundred appointments made by the President, a total of 75 persons including Legislators have declared their assets.
“Currently as we speak, the assets declaration process has actually been slow. Based on statistics that we have, the President has made a nomination of 500 persons and as we speak, we have only 75persons declaring their assets. We think this is uncheckable, “ said the LACC Boss.
“We understand that some of these nominations are subject to appointments and then in keeping with the code of conduct has 30days but most of those appointments 30days has elapsed. So we encourage public officials to proceed to the LACC to declare their assets,’’ she stated.
According to her, the LACC is currently taking steps to track compliance as well as non-compliance and a comprehensive listing of those in compliance will be published on May 15, 2024.
“By May 15, we will begin a publication of those in compliance while also ensuring that public officials have up to the end of July to declare their assets. “
Madam Zoe noted that the commission will also recommend and request relevant authorities to execute appropriate sanctions against non-compliant public officials and employees of the Government of Liberia(GoL) in keeping with the National Code of Conduct.
