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Registration date: 2008-04-25
 | | Subject: No Action taken, but Ma Ellen says we whould: Wait, Watch and See’ - Sirleaf Says Govt. Still Committed To Fight Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:29 pm | |
| Wait, Watch and See’ - Sirleaf Says Govt. Still Committed To Fight Corruption
12/04/08 - FPA STAFF REPORT
Monrovia –
We will fight corruption. Our resolve is unshakable. The public needs
not only to wait, watch and see, but to be good faith participants in
our fight against this menace. In the end when action has been taken to
which we all contribute, Liberia will win this battle.” These are the
words of Liberia’s President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when she
delivered a major policy statement on corruption in Liberia today.
In her statement broadcast to the nation a short while ago, the
Liberian President said corruption which permeates the entire society
is to a large extent the result of a number of contributing
socio-economic and political factors in the absence of values.
She noted that Liberia has been plagued with long standing plunder and
systemic corruption throughout society both in government and beyond
which is a reality that we must face.
'Has been a way of life'
“All, if not most of our institutions of government, inherited a
corrupt and criminalized value system that are so entrenched that some
seem irredeemable. Corruption has been a way of life in our recent
past. It seemed so much the normal thing to do then and there are those
trying to continue it today,” President Johnson Sirleaf reiterated,
noting that Liberians must therefore approach this menace with a well
thought out strategy rather than an emotion and euphoric response that
plays to the galley of public sentiments.
Of late, there have been lots of media reports of widespread corruption
in government. Public outcry has been so overwhelming for the Liberian
leader to act since during her Inaugural Address said she declared
corruption Public Enemy #1, but not much has been done.
Recently, Bong County Senior Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, said if
nothing is done by this government against acts of corruption, people
would begin to consider government action against corruption Public
Friend #1. Senator Taylor called on President Johnson Sirleaf to act on
the Audit Reports that she’s already received from the General Auditing
Commission (GAC)
However in her policy statement, President Johnson Sirleaf confirmed
that the Executive have received audit reports from the GAC and have
accepted these reports, commented on a few, and held meetings with the
Auditor-General on the way forward. “The reports are reviewed for
action, consistent with the findings and recommendations,” she warned
that auditing processes also have established procedures which must be
followed; noting that there is no intention to protect anyone; only
caution to protect the innocent.
'Discernable pattern of noise'
She noted that while taking appropriate independent executive
action, her government will also support the Legislature in the public
hearings which they intend to hold on the reports and thereafter have
these reports published for the public to be fully informed.
The Liberian leader disclosed that the Minister of Justice in
collaboration with the Chief Justice has been requested to look into
measures that can be taken to put corruption cases on a fast track
judicial system aimed at closure of pending cases, extra-ordinarily
faster then the normal judicial cycle.
“Public participation with active media involvement will be helpful to
educate everyone on the judicial process to be developed. We might also
need to be reminded that there is a discernable pattern of noise in the
media when particular cases on graft and plunder of state and public
resources are brought before the courts for trial.
“The motive seems to be to drown the public with perception of active
corruption today so as to divert attention from those being arraigned
before the court. It can be logically assumed that the noises and
criticisms come from those who have encouraged, and benefited from the
inherited culture of impunity and governance by presidential dictates,”
President Johnson Sirleaf said; but noted that over the years and most
recently, it appears that impunity has been encouraged by judgments
that have exonerated corrupt officials even when the evidence was over
powering.
She noted the Executive welcomes the media’s role as a watchdog of
society; however, all it asks is that prudence is exercised in the
reporting of allegations or facts. “Such reports should logically be
done based upon audit reports or investigations.
'Impunity has been the norm'
“The media is encouraged to consider if it must be taken seriously
seeking the full story before accepting to report or publish stories.
We welcome the fact that the media is and can be a true partner in the
fight against corruption but in doing so we ourselves including the
media must ensure that freedom is matched with responsibility,” she
indicated.
The Liberian leader reiterated that because acts of corruption are not
acceptable by the policies of her administration, corruption cases are
being exposed and the public have begun talking about it. “We also know
that impunity has been a norm for a long time. This is why our policy
of transparency has sought to ensure the full participation of our
citizenry by promotion and disseminating information which requires our
people to discuss issues and reports of corruption openly,” she stated.
She recounted that because of the widespread organized theft, looting,
pillage and plunder of the state public resources which was glaring
during the tenure of the erstwhile National Transitional Government of
Liberia (NTGL), the international community in collaboration with the
NTGL was constrained to agree of the need for the co-signing
arrangement under the governance and economic management programme
though it alarmed many as putting the country in receivership. She
noted that this was a direct consequence of the weak system and lack of
control in managing public resources.
Enumerating a number of measures to improve the system, Sirleaf said
when her administration took office, and declared corruption as Public
Enemy #1, it sought to improve compensation levels to minimize
vulnerabilities as well as to punish violators of the public trust
through legal action to ensure a transparent budget and financial
reporting processes with the Legislature and the public exercising
their specific roles to restructure the civil service and establish
proper internal auditing systems.
Other measures she named as enhancing national integrity came from the
Governance Commission that called for activating the Public Procurement
and Concessions Commission (PPCC) and the General Auditing Commission
(GAC). “In the case of the GAC, we facilitated financial independence
and were supportive of programme of reorientation and strengthening. As
a result, the GAC has not only unearthed corrupt practices but
disclosed the lack of major shortcomings in our financial management
systems,” President Johns Sirleaf said.
She also named the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission,
while a draft Code of Conduct for public servants is currently before
the Legislature for enactment.
Others include the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act, the
Public Broadcasting Act and the draft Corruption Offences Act which are
all before the Legislature for enactment into law. “These Acts will
enhance public access to information and the role of the media and
their ability to influence public decision-making as well as the fight
against corruption.”
Reviewing Code of conduct
She disclosed that during the last two cabinet meetings they
reviewed and discussed systems of proper and internal fiscal control.
“It was decided that a re-evaluation of all civil servants to meet
requirements of the Civil Service Law will commence early next year,”
she said, noting further that although time is required from results of
such measures, the Executive is resolved to meet these challenges
head-on as part of the reform effort.
She also named the Code of Conduct for public officials and
Anti-Corruption Act, as the improved measures; but questioned whether
there is a need for new robust measures, such as new laws that make
corruption a non-bailable crime and require the confiscation of assets
until a court judgment is rendered?
“These are being discussed and reviewed by the Justice Ministry to
ensure that we operate in a system of law and order. No witch hunt and
recrimination or individual discretionary measure will lead to abuse
that will be allowed,” she stated.
She noted that firing and prosecuting people may be “crowd pleasing”
but this has to be done in a legal and timely manner. “Not through
pressure from any source, public or private, but consistent with what
is right and in conformity with the law.”
The Liberian leader suggested that there is a need for a complete
overhaul, a robust reform of our entire governance system. “We are
working with the Governance Commission to do just that. Everyone must
do his or her part to achieve this objective. We will also not be
deterred in our focus to push the development agenda, recognizing that
poverty reduction among our population, impoverished over two decades
is one of the most powerful weapons against corruption,” she emphasized.
“This malaise needs to be fought by all branches of the government, by all leaders in the society and by the people as well.
“We detest and will punish corruption whenever and wherever we can
catch it and prove it. We have not failed to act when the evidence is
clear,” she stated.
Cases forwarded to Justice Ministry
Citing examples, The Liberian President said based upon internal
audits and investigation that showed financial malpractices, she has
taken some action including the suspension of Bong County’s
Superintendent as well as dismissed officials and staff of the Ministry
of State, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Post and Telecommunications and lately the Central Bank.
As regards the Liberia Electricity Corporation where improper conduct
or lack of oversight responsibility was established, all non statutory
members of the Board of Directors were dismissed. She noted that many
of these cases have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for
prosecution.
“The current state of disclosure suggests that the steps taken by
government are beginning to work,” she said, noting that the government
is managing the country’s resources evidenced by the improving
dividends for all to see. “Increased revenue and a bigger budget each
year is the most indicative measure to date. How else did we go from
US$80 million during the NTGL to almost US$300 million this fiscal
year? Are we satisfied with this? No. Could it be better? Yes. That is
the goal of any government that intends to govern in an atmosphere of
transparency and accountability,” she said.
She also noted that in recognition of this commitment and progress to
fight corruption since she assumed the presidency, the World Bank in
its 2008 Control of Corruption Governance Indicator moved Liberia up 72
places from where it stood three years ago. Liberia was ranked 185 out
of 206 countries on control of corruption in 2005.
In 2006 when this administration took office, Liberia moved up 39
places in the rankings to 145th and then 2007 it moved up an additional
32 places to 113 in the world. “In other words, in just two years,
Liberia moved up 72 places in the world rankings. This is the largest
improvement by far over the last two years by any country in the world
thus recognizing Liberia as one of the countries having made the best
progress in fighting corruption,” she furthered; noting that the
indicators are not based on a single source or opinion but rather on
the combined results of a large number of surveys, of citizens,
business enterprises and experts in countries around the world. “We
thank all of those who have contributed to this progress.”
Concluding, she promised to continue the fight against corruption. The
public needs not only to wait, watch and see, but join the fight.
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