Monrovia – As a way to promote transparency and accountability in Government, the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature on Thursday unanimously voted, to declare their assets and authorized its Chief Clerk to publish the assets declared by all members within a period of one month.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
Members of the House of Representatives are required to obtain the asset declaration document from the Chief Clerk’s Office to fill in and submit.
The plenary also granted, that the assets of individual lawmakers declared, be published into at least three local dailies exactly one month following the submission.
A release issued by the Press Bureau of the House of Representatives says, plenary took the decision during its 3rd day sitting on Capitol Hill.
The decision is in line with the National Code of Conduct which mandates “Every Public Official and Employee of Government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types to sign performance or financial bonds and in addition declare their assets, and liabilities prior to taking office and thereafter.
The House’s decision also come as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) calls on all outgoing officials to declare their assets. This declaration, the LACC noted is part of the “Exit Declaration of Assets Notice which requires a comprehensive list encompassing properties, financial holdings, investments, and other relevant financial interests.
Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the LACC also stated that the LACC will ensure that incoming officials of the Boakai-Koung administration will declare their assets, adding that specific timelines will be given after the government’s inauguration in January 2024.