Monrovia,Liberia: The Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission says the refusal of government officials to declare their assets is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
By Augustine Bill Kollie-www.augustinekollie87@yahoo.com
Cllr. James Verdier said since the inception of the Weah-Taylor administration, the LACC does not have a considerable number of public officials who have declared their assets.
In an exclusive interview with OK FM Wednesday, the LACC Boss also noted that the commission does not have record of any member of the 53rd legislature who declared their assets to the LACC, including President Weah who was then senator for Montserrado County.
According to Cllr. Verdier, the LACC has experienced serious of non-compliance from officials of the three branches of Government.
Section 10.1 of the national Code of Conduct mandates every public officials or employees involved in making decisions affecting contracting; tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types shall sign performance or financial bonds and shall in addition declare his or her income, assets and liabilities prior to taking office and thereafter.
Cllr. Verdier further said the country’s asset declaration laws are not strong enough, as the failure to declare asset is not criminalized, stating that the mandate to enforce the Code of conduct is in the purview of heads of the various branches of Government, and not the LACC.
Meanwhile, the LACC Chairman has clarified speculations of deadline within the time frame for asset declaration.
Cllr. James Verdier told OK FM Wednesday, that the last Friday of July each year is a provision within the LACC regulation for public officials who might be re-declaring their assets and not for those declaring their assets for the first time.
Speaking further, Cllr. Verdier said currently, there are over 500 declarations from the past administration pending verification by the LACC.
