THE ADMINISTRATION OF President Joseph N. Boakai has over the past one year suffered criticism from the political opposition and stakeholders, especially civil society organizations, who have accused the administration of not doing enough in the fight against corruption. The Boakai government has been accused of not doing enough to strengthen integrity institutions, like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), not dismissing or suspending public officials accused of corruption while they underwent investigation, and not taking action against public officials who did not declare their asset.
NOW THE ADMINISTRATION is reinforcing its steadfastness to upholding integrity in public service while prioritizing policies that directly benefit the people of Liberia, particularly school-going children.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS directed the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to establish an escrow account for the cumulative blocked salaries of government officials who are non-compliant with the asset declaration mandate, amounting to approximately US$90,808.56, and allocate the funds toward the “One Child, One Chair” presidential initiative to enhance learning conditions in primary and secondary schools across the country.
ADDITIONALLY, PRESIDENT BOAKAI has mandated the CSA to work alongside the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure the timely procurement and distribution of chairs to schools in need.
FURTHERMORE, THE BUREAU of State Enterprises (BSE) has been instructed to implement similar measures for officials of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) who remain suspended due to non-compliance with the asset declaration mandate. The funds derived from these actions will also be redirected to the “One Child, One Chair” initiative.
