MONROVIA – The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Governance and Government Reform Larry Younquoi has cautioned President George Manneh against undermining the auditing of his government and its officials as pronounced by the incoming Unity Party administration of President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
By Obediah Johnson
President-elect Boakai has announced that an independent foreign firm will conduct an audit, following his inauguration to the Liberian presidency. He is expected to be inaugurated as Liberia’s 25th President on January 22 this year.
Despite President-elect Boakai’s unbending stance to implement his campaign promises by combating against corruption and promoting accountability and transparency in Liberia, President Weah and many of his public officials, including Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah, see the move as a “witch-hunt.”
But speaking in an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa via telephone in Monrovia on Thursday, January 4, 2024 Representative Younqoui said President Weah should put himself on the international periscope of transparency by submitting himself and encouraging his officials to be audited by the incoming government.
Outgoing lawmaker Younquoi is representing the people of Nimba County district # 8 in the 54th National Legislature.
He observed that recent statement attributed to the Liberian leader that conducting an audit of his government would amount to witch-hunt does not support accountability and transparency.
“I can see that the incoming government remains consistent on its manifesto especially on the mantra of transparency, rule of law, and fight against corruption. I am trying to believe that Liberia will be on the right track to eradicate state corruption. Every hour we are hearing that they are going to audit past governments and I think it’s good for holding people accountable for their stewardship when it comes to transparency and management of the state resources.”
Ruling out witch-hunt
Representative Younquoi recalled that for several years now, the UP has been consistent in its quest to audit past governments.
He emphasized that the rejuvenation of the party’s position should in no way be seen as a witch hunt.
He said though the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government failed to conduct an audit of the administration of Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, they should not expect the incoming government to follow suit, but blame itself for failing to do so as part of efforts to promote accountability and transparency in the public sector.
“The President was saying that we shouldn’t go after them. I think the President went low on that. Their six years are over and so, they shouldn’t see audit as a witch hunt. Liberia does not belong to anybody; it belongs to all of us. I don’t believe that audit is a witch hunt even though they decided not to audit the past government because of some considerations.”
Embrace audit
Representative Younquoi called on President Weah to embrace the pending audit.
He said the Liberian Chief Executive should go beyond conceding defeat in the just ended elections to stabilize the country by wholeheartedly welcoming and submitting to an audit.
According to him, unnecessary tension would erupt in the country if President Weah continues to make utterances that would jeopardize the conduct of an audit.
“President Weah should embrace the audit because it could be a part of the positive sides of his administration to the fact that he conceded even before the final results were announced by the elections commission during the just ended elections. I encourage him to submit to audit.”
Conduct forensic/lifestyle audit
Despite the hullabaloo surrounding the pronouncement, Representative Younquoi encouraged the incoming UP government to remain consistent and uncompromising in its quest to conduct an audit of past governments.
He said the next government should carry out forensic and lifestyle audits to unearth dubious practices and the doctoring and manufacturing of reports by corrupt public officials.
Representative Younquoi, who is a former executive of the UP, maintained that the exercise must be carried out to detest and expose frauds and financial improprieties cleverly orchestrated by some past and current public officials.
Significance of audit
“If these kinds of audits are done, it will help to guard us in the next six years. People who will be given responsibilities will know that they are taking over on zero balance corruption.”
Representative Younquoi maintained that the incoming administration of President-elect Boakai should avoid taking side or consideration with family members or friends in the discharge of its duties.
He claimed that the failure of President-elect Boakai to execute his plan of conducting an audit will lead to instability in Liberia, because many public officials will misconstrue their appointments in government to siphon state resources to the detriment of the masses and country at large.
“Conducting audit does not bring instability. People should account for their stewardship. Liberia state security is in tight and other people on the international circle are also looking at us. Citizens themselves will be fighting to maintain their resources and they will appreciate the audit.”
He observed that past and current public officials will continue to benefit from the entrenched culture of impunity in Liberia if President-elect Boakai fails to live up to his commitment made to the Liberian people.
Representative Younquoi stated that the audit process will clearly establish whether or not tax payers’ monies entrusted to public officials were used for the intended purposes.
Confiscate properties
He further recommended the confiscation of the properties of public officials found guilty of corruption.
He added that some of these properties can be sold and monies remitted into public coffers, while others can be used as public guest houses to generate revenue for the government.
According to him, the conduct of audit is not necessarily intended to go after a particular group of people, but it is intended to ensure that people entrusted with state funds can account for it.