The Liberia Civil Service Agency has blocked the salaries of 216 out of 457 government officials suspended by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for failing to declare their assets.
“Last year, the officials were given a one-month deadline to comply with asset declaration requirements set by Liberia’s Code of Conduct. If they do not meet the deadline, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) will recommend their dismissal,” a statement from the Liberia Civil Service read.
According to the Director-General of the Civil Service Agency, over US $204,000 has been saved through the salary block. The saved funds will be allocated to a national development project in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
President Boakai suspended the 457 officials on February 12 for non-compliance with asset declaration to the LACC. This suspension involves withholding pay and benefits for one month, subject to confirmation by the LACC of meeting the asset declaration requirement. The salary block by the Civil Service Agency affects those under its control, known as “Spending Entities.”
Mr. Josiah Joekai, head of the Civil Service Agency, explained that spending entities are government institutions that do not generate revenue, including ministries, agencies, and commissions, whose payrolls are managed by the agency.”To enforce the president’s mandate, the CSA blocked the salaries of the 216 public officials from these entities,” said Joekai in an interview with EyeWitnessNews Liberia Bureau chief.
For the remaining suspended officials not under CSA’s direct control, Joekai has contacted the Bureau of State-Owned Enterprises to block their salaries as well. Joekai stated that the blocked salaries would be placed in an account for national development programs.”There should be no debate about our action,” emphasized Joekai. “Asset declaration is required by law, and all public officials, including the president and vice president, must comply.”
President Boakai’s administration is the first in over three decades to take such bold action against public officials to combat corruption in Liberia. Boakai pledged to fight corruption and wastefulness during his 2024 inauguration. Despite its natural resources, Liberia ranks low on the corruption perceptions index by Transparency International, indicating a significant challenge in addressing public corruption.
By: Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh
