Monrovia – In a damning report released on Thursday, the Center for Accountability and Transparency Liberia (CENTAL) has cast a harsh spotlight on the Boakai administration’s first 100 days. Marked by allegations of corruption, nepotism, and questionable appointments, these early days starkly contrast with President Joseph Boakai’s professed commitment to anti-corruption, exposing a troubling pattern that jeopardizes the credibility of his government, CENTAL notes.
CENTAL is a leading civil society organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Liberia.
According to the 100-day report, several appointees with dubious records have returned to public service. Key figures include S. Tornorlah Varpilah, Chairman of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), who was previously mandated by the National Legislature to restitute public funds; Daniel Johnson, appointed Secretary General of the Roberts Flight Information Region, wanted by the United States for defrauding USAID of approximately $1.9 million; and Nortu Jappah, President of the National Insurance Company of Liberia, who resigned from the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) in 2012 amid a corruption scandal. Others include Patrick Sandike, Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services at LWSC, previously dismissed for corruption; Rudolph Merab, Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), implicated in illegal logging during the civil war; and Mohammed Maladho Bah, Special Presidential Envoy for Investment, accused of defrauding Liberians as a used car dealer.
The administration is also criticized for nepotism. Jacob T. Kabakole, the President’s influential nephew, was appointed Chairman of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA). Sirleaf Tyler, brother of Senator Alex J. Tyler, was appointed as Minister of Transport, while Nancy Moye, wife of Senator Prince Moye, was named to the board of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC). Daybah E. Johnson, daughter of Senator Prince Y. Johnson, was appointed Assistant Minister for Regional Labor Affairs. Senator Darbah Varpilah’s husband, S. Tornolar Varpilah, was appointed Chairman of the LMA Board, and her children, Nee-Alah T. Varpilah and Feetor Varpilah, were appointed Director-General of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA) and Deputy Director General of NICOL, respectively. Her brother-in-law, Gallah Varpilah, was appointed City Mayor of Gbarnga.
More than half of the appointed heads of ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs) hail from the North-Central region, notably Lofa, Bong, and Nimba Counties, with many having supported Boakai’s presidential bid. Those suspected of backing opposition parties have largely been denied appointments.
Corruption allegations have also surfaced. President Boakai allegedly received funds from NASSCORP to purchase five Land Cruiser SUVs worth $117,000 each before his inauguration, raising concerns about misappropriation of public funds. There are accusations of bribing legislators to influence leadership positions and reports of the President’s nephew, Jake Kabakole, disbursing $600,000 to contractors under suspicious circumstances. Public Works Minister Roland Giddings admitted to violating procurement laws by awarding $22.4 million in road maintenance contracts without competitive bidding. Additionally, there are allegations of a deal with the Guma Group for Wologizi mountain exploration involving 285 pieces of earth-moving equipment, which the government denies finalizing.
While President Boakai has made some efforts, such as appointing officials to the Ombudsman and suspending FIA Director-General Stanley Ford over money laundering allegations, he has failed to consistently hold his officials accountable. Despite allegations of mismanagement, he expressed confidence in Miatta Fahnbulleh, Chairperson of the inaugural committee, without releasing investigative findings. Additionally, Boakai declared his assets 16 days after taking office, violating the Code of Conduct, and support for anti-graft institutions remains low.
To address these issues, CENTAL recommended that the President needs to implement timely and inclusive actions to address corruption, ensuring alignment with his commitments. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), according to CENTAL, must be well-resourced, independent, and impactful. They also called on the President and his officials to publicly declare their assets, incomes, and liabilities.
The transparency and acountability body further recommended the dissolution of the Asset Recovery Team, and resources redirected to the LACC or form an interagency task force for more efficient and transparent asset recovery.
They called on the Legislature to be more transparent and accountable, with timely audits and open voting on critical matters.
The report furhter noted that there is the need for development partners to strengthen civil society and media efforts to hold the government accountable.
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