In accordance with Chapter 11, Article 90 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and Section 10.1 of the 2014 Code of Conduct, as amended with provisions on the declaration of Asset by all public officials in Liberia, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, has declared his assets.
The EPA boss, in a brief interaction with the media after the submission of his asset to the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC) on Monday, February 19, in Congo Town, said it was his way of being transparent and as well abiding by the code of conduct of the Republic of Liberia.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo revealed his holdings, including five houses in Liberia and one in the United States of America, with a total asset value at US$636,600.00.
His annual income, sourced from various channels, stands at US$157,187.00.
He highlighted his commitment to the rule of law by disclosing a total liability of US$349,355.00, resulting in a net worth of US$287,245.00.
“Following the example of the President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nuyma Boakai, I have just declared my assets in fulfillment of the code of conduct. I am making my assets available to the general public through the media,” he said.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo lay emphasizes on the importance of enforcement of the rule of law, citing Aristotle’s perspective on the rule of law as fundamental to societal development.
“Aristotle said, ‘At his best, man is the noblest of all animals,’ but if you separate man from the rule of law, which is the bedrock of justice, man is not only the worst, but he destroys society. This is why adherence to the rule of law and the enforcement of law are fundamental to the development of any human society. We do not have to go to the moon to see examples of how enforcement of the rule of law changes societies. One major difference between nations that are considered ‘developed’ and nations that are ‘underdeveloped’ is the enforcement of law. Developed nations enforce their laws and underdeveloped nations do not enforce their laws, and if they do they do it partially. In fact, what underpins underdevelopment is the lack of the enforcement of the rule of law.”
DR. Urey Yarkpawolo underscored the role of law enforcement in differentiating between developed and underdeveloped countries.
He called on Liberians to “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia”, which resonates with a vision of a better Liberia, observing that government is a place to serve and not to steal.