LACC, USAID, UNDP END IACD 2018 INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY

December 11, 2018

Wednesday, December 11, 2018: The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) in collaboration with USAID and UNDP on Monday, December 10, 2018 ended programs in celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD). This year’s celebration which took place in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County was held from December 7-10, 2018 with series of activities befitting the occasion.

Delivering the keynote address at this year’s IACD Day in Buchanan, Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Latim Da-Thong who represented the Liberian leader urged Liberians to evaluate the real effect of corruption and what it does to society. He said corruption is an immoral and unethical menace that has the propensity of destroying any civilized society, adding that it does only refer to money, but our behaviors, characters and moral attitude.

The Deputy Minister told the gathering that when a Liberian participate in corruption, he or she benefits themselves but cheat our children, grandchildren and generation to come. He said, those that steal public funds must be made to understand that, their actions slow down the growth of the very nation they steal from, makes it impossible to improve schools, hospitals, roads and other necessities require for society to move forward. He said, those of us holding public officials accountable should note this” whoever fights a monster, should see to it the process for fighting do not become a monster”. We should start with ourselves first as Liberians so that the job can be done with clarity and sincerity to maintain high walls and ethical standards.

Also speaking at the occasion, CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson D. Miamen said seeking to abolish tenure positions at key public integrity institutions will undermine the effectiveness and independence of these institutions and make their heads and key managers vulnerable to political manipulations. He urged government to be sincere and truly committed to fight against corruption by being practical and removing the culture of impunity that will serve as a deterrent to current and would-be corrupt officials and individuals.

In addition, the Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Ingrid Wetterqvist also said, corruption has many faces and fuels poverty and inequality. Ambassador Wetterqvist said greed is another driver that leads people in positions of power, who have many things still want to have even more at the detriment of rules and regulations. Corruption feeds on culture of impunity, lack of political will, limited citizens’ participation in demanding accountability and transparency from policy makers. But there can be a change and is all about changing mindsets.

Making remarks at the program, the Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Cllr. James N. Verdier, jr. admonished students to ‘say no to corruption’ which he noted can go a long way in the fight against corruption. The LACC boss stressed the need for more awareness programs along with prosecution which he pointed out would help greatly to reduce corruption.

The theme for the 2018 International Anti-Corruption Day Celebration was “Say No to Corruption, Every No Counts” and slogan, “United Against Corruption”. This year’s program was sponsored by UNDP and USAID

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Denna A. Gibson
Public Relations Assistant

 

LACC HOLDS TRAINING ON EHANCING CORRUPTION EFFORT IN HIGH RISK PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

December 6, 2018

December 3, 2018: The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) held a two-day training workshop for High Risk Public Institutions on “Enhancing Corruption Prevention Effort” in Ganta City, Nimba County from November 28-29, 2018.
The training covered wide range of ant-corruption issues such as “Corruption and the Budget process”; “Liberia’s Assets Declaration and Verification System”; “Corruption Prevention Techniques”; and “Conflict of Interest in the Context of Law”.
Additionally, presentations were made on “The Role of LACC in the Fight Against Corruption” and the Legal Framework in the Fight Against Corruption, with emphasis on investigation and prosecution.

The corruption prevention effort in high risk public institutions workshop seeks to identify vulnerabilities for corruption in Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs), as no institution is immune to corrupt practices. However, some institutions are more susceptible to high corruption risk because the risk of corruption is inherent in the nature of their work. Institutions considered high risk include MACs with huge service delivery responsibilities and income generation activities, coupled with high traffic of human interactions; thereby breeding fertile ground for corrupt behavior. If these risks are allowed to continue unabated, they undermine the greater good and impede accountability.

Therefore, enhancing corruption prevention effort in public institutions is crucial due to system weaknesses which may present opportunities for corruption. Corruption prevention mechanisms are indispensable to the survival of institutions, particularly in an economy in which many institutions are vulnerable to corruption and other fraudulent activities as a result of inadequate policies, procedures and leadership which are necessary ingredients for employees to perform their duties effectively.
The training brought together representatives from Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA); Liberia National Police (LNP); Liberia Electricity Cooperation (LEC); Liberia Airport Authority (LAA); Liberia Immigration Service; Ministry of Transport; Ministry of Labor; Ministry of Finance & Development Planning; and Ministry of Health

At the close of the training, a representative of the participants, Deputy Public works Minister for Administration Joseph P. Todd praised the LACC for its efforts in bringing important government institutions together on issues of corruption.

Todd, a former government auditor, reminded participants of the critical role they play in their various institutions and said he hopes the results from the training will serve as critical starting point in curbing corruption in the future.

The training provided ample opportunity for information sharing and practical measures for officials from these ministries and agencies to avoid corruption in the performance of their duties, highlighted the mandate LACC and it provided additional tap on ring-fencing new public officials from corrupt practices.

 

LACC HOST PRESS CONFERENCE ON STATUS OF CASES AND ASSET DECLARATION

December 4, 2018

Thursday, November 22, 2018: The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. calls on His Excellency, the President of Liberia and the Legislature to ensure that laws granting security of tenure to integrity institutions remain undisturbed in so far as it grants security and tenure to all members of the commissions and not only the heads and deputy heads.

The LACC Boss further said, with two very important bills granting protection to witnesses and protecting reporting persons/whistle blower continuing to languish and decay in the legislature since they were presented in 2017, we observe with interest the pace at which several bills presented to the legislature are being expeditiously passed into law by both houses since the sitting of the 54th legislature as a serious concern.

He also said the lack of strong complimentary and supporting legislations, logistical and financial resources; coupled with either a “Non-existing” or “Luke Warm” political will within the three branches of government continue to undermine the capacity and professionalism of the LACC in delivering its herculean mandate according to part V.5:1 of the act which gave the commission appropriate authority for implementing investigation and prosecution, as well as preventing of acts of corruption through public awareness.

In addition, he said, an institution and group of officials and staff who are charged with the responsibilities of investigating every individual in the length and breadth of Liberia, excluding the president must not be left to run after the Ministry of Finance on a monthly basis for its budgetary allocation, noting LACC’s allocation, including salaries and operational funds should be disbursed on a quarterly basis in keeping with the financial autonomy of the Commission. Anything to the contrary exposes the institution to scorn and reduces its esteem.

Cllr. Verdier emphasized that every public official and employee of government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types, shall sign performance or financial bond and in addition declare his or her income, assets and liabilities prior to taking office, as there were misinformation and misinterpretation of the laws and regulations surrounding asset declarations.

According to the 2018 Asset Declaration Report, ninety two (92) public officials from the Executive Branch declared out of an expected Four Hundred sixty two (462), representing 20%; Three Hundred Thirty Three (333) officials from the Judiciary Branch declared, representing 83%; and none from Legislative Branch comprising the House of Representative and Senate declared, representing 0%.

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