Halt Illicit Flows –Labor Congress Urges Liberian Government

Monrovia-As Part of the Commemorations of this year International Public Service Day in Liberia, the Liberia Labor Congress has called for the Liberian Government to Put a Halt to illicit financial flows and effectively administer tax to advance efficient Public Service Delivery in the Country.

The Liberia Labour Congress through its Secretary General Mr. David Sackoh says in order to tackle poverty and inequality in the Country and Africa at Large, there is a need to consistently implement state-driven Public Service delivery Programs and not to privatize them.

Mr. Sackoh speaking  at the Commemoration of the International Public Service day further called on the Liberian Government to Continue Privatizing Public Services especially Primary Education, which he  believes is the Fundamental rights of Children and further urged them to sustainably roll out public service provisions targeted to reach people and Communities in Need.

He also pointed out the report of the African Union Economic Commission for Africa on Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) adopted by the African Union Head Of Summit in Addis Ababa highlighting a Conservative Figure of U.S. $ 50 Billion which is Lost to Africa annually, adding that those Monies are Lost revenues that otherwise would boost and Complement finances Necessary for advancing the roll-out of Social Services Provisions.

LLC SG among other things has recommended that African Countries should pursue effective Cooperation with themselves and other Developing Countries in terms of tax Policy, Practices and information sharing.

Mr. David Sackoh says African Countries must strive to eliminate Undermining and damaging tax competition with and among them, Seek Cooperation from other developing Countries to Enforce Multilateral adoption and implementation of measures to end financial and corporate Secrecy Jurisdictions which has contributed in major ways to the fledging of tax havens and loss of revenues to African Governments.

The Congress further called on Africa to commence processes in re-negotiating existing Mining and exploration contracts as well as taking other anti-mineral revenue theft measures and directing the Liberian Government to      re-negotiate its Maritime contract and mode of Operations to avoid task haven and include employment of Liberian and AU Nationals on Liberian flag vessels as an incentive for jobs creation.

In his concluding statement David Sackoh said Africa Must stop the Bleeding and work to use tax revenues to Finance Social Services Delivery and not to Continue Privatizing Public Services to the determent and exclusion of the poor and needy.

The Congress at the Commemoration ended by calling on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia to Encourage he Colleague heads of states in the Sub-region to take Urgent and Necessary action to implement the recommendations of the Au Report on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa.