Monrovia – A major straw that broke the Coalition of Democratic Change’s six- year rule was pervasive corruption. Liberians voiced their frustrations by voting in the Unity Party presidential candidate, Joseph Boakai, during the 2023 presidential election. Boakai promised to fight corruption, inclusive government, establish a war crimes court, and fix the economy.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Nine months into the six-year tenure of Boakai’s presidency, corruption remains intractable. Boakai’s anti-corruption fight rests on a tripod: initiating audits of three crucial government institutions, including the central bank, and auditing officials of the former administration. These actions have received commendations from the public.
However, issues like the politicization of the anti-corruption fight and Boakai’s apparent refusal to investigate officials accused of corruption have cast doubt on the fight.
JNB’s anti-graft fight vs accused officials
Party politics appears to be shielding the prosecution of people loyal to those in power. The controversial purchase of a US$96,000 vehicle for Commerce Minister Amin Modad has drawn ire. The funds for the purchase were drawn from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Customs Capacity Building Fund, under the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS), meant to support trade-related activities of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) in collaboration with Customs.
Modad’s acceptance of the vehicle has raised questions about the logic of such financial decisions in a poor country like Liberia, and highlights the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of public officials and the dire conditions faced by ordinary citizens.
Additionally, the broader issue of excessive spending by public officials of Boakai’s government while critical sectors such as health, education, and civil servant wages remain grossly underfunded remain a cause of concern.
Also, the government’s continued dependence on international donors for basic needs while engaging in wasteful expenditures, including extravagant travels by the President with large delegations has also generated public debate.
Probing Boakai’s government
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) this week announced the initiation of a thorough investigation into allegations of financial malpractices by officials of Boakai’s government, which suggests that over US$15 million has been misappropriated by government officials.
This practice, which blatantly contravenes established financial management protocols in Liberia, raises urgent questions about transparency and accountability within an administration that pledged to eradicate corruption.
Corruption has continued to spread, manifest in various dimensions despite the anti-corruption war of the Boakai government. Issues like the politicization of the anti-corruption fight and the apparent refusal of President Boakai to investigate officials accused of corruption have cast doubt on the fight.
The LACC’s statement underscores its dedication to investigating the alleged misappropriation of millions, vowing to scrutinize the financial activities of the Boakai administration.
In a disturbing twist, many lawmakers claim ignorance of any such off-budget schemes, despite a reported allocation of over US$2 million to them. This includes US$1.5 million designated for special sessions of the House of Representatives and US$812,612 for the Senate, alongside an unaccounted US$2.3 million tagged as “miscellaneous.”
JNB’s reluctance in fighting graft
Critics argue that President Boakai’s failure to address these issues undermines the credibility of his administration and erodes public trust.
Also, his reluctance to take decisive action against corruption sends a troubling message, especially considering his campaign promises of transparency and integrity.
The lack of transparency regarding the President’s own financial affairs casts doubt on his ability to lead an effective anti-corruption campaign. By failing to set an example, President Boakai risks alienating supporters and emboldening corrupt elements within his administration.
Moreover, the defense of officials who have not declared their assets further compounds concerns about accountability and reinforces perceptions of impunity. Instead of holding individuals accountable, the President’s office appears to shield them from scrutiny, fostering a culture of corruption.
CENTAL wants actions taken
Meanwhile, the Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL) Thursday said the saga involving the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) over a US$150,000 vehicle purchase; unapproved and off-budget spending by officials of the Executive branch of government undermine transparency and accountability in government as well as President Boakai’s anti-corruption initiatives and commitment to the rule of law pillar of his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
CENTAL wonders why funds meant for capacity building in terms of trade were used entirely to purchase a luxury vehicle for Minister Modad. CENTAL believes that such funds should have been used to build the capacity of relevant departments at the Ministry.
“Further, the said purchase violates Section 8(n) of the 2024 Budget Law which states that “All procurement of vehicles in this year 2024, except for the President, Vice President, Speaker, Pro-Tempore, and Deputy Speaker and the Chief Justice of Liberia, shall not exceed US$ 45,000 at duty paid. These measures shall apply to all state-owned enterprises,” CENTAL said in a release.
CENTAL, therefore, believes that the expenditure by the Minister does not only violate the law but amounts to an abuse of state resources that could be used to better the lives of the Liberian people.
CENTAL used Thursday’s press release to urge President Boakai to commission an independent investigation into circumstances leading to abuse of resources by Minister Amin Modad, with a view to further strengthen processes around management and use of fees generated through customs services. “
CENTAL urges President Boakai to commission an independent investigation into circumstances leading to abuse of resources by Minister Amin Modad with a view to further strengthen processes around management and use of fees generated through customs services. We call on the President to take administrative actions against Minister Modad for violation of the budget law 2024.
Center for Accountability and Transparency in Liberia
This action on the part of the Executive branch of government, specifically the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, CENTAL added, to engage in off-budget expenditures violates the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law of Liberia, which provides for spending according to approved budget lines.
“We note that the PFM law provides that expenditures exceeding appropriations are only allowed under ‘exceptional circumstances’ and that even in such cases, the MFDP is required to submit a statement of expenditures in excess to the Legislature and, following review by the Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee, the Legislature decides by Resolution on whether to allow the excess expenditure (See Sections 8 and 24). Further, mindful that certain spending needs might arise, Section 8 of the PFM Law establishes a Contingency Fund (CF) under the auspices of the MFDP but does not give it a blanket discretion regarding use of the funds,” CENTAL added in a release.
In its recommendations, CENTAL wants a comprehensive report on the need for such expenditures and further calls on President Boakai to take appropriate actions against MFDP officials for exceeding the limits prescribed by law.
