The recent suspension and removal of Central Bank Governor Jolue Aloysius Tarlue by President Joseph Boakai, following an audit that alleged breaches of financial laws and compliance failures, is a welcome move that demonstrates the political will to act on investigative reports related to corruption.
However, this action raises deeper questions about the administration’s commitment to upholding accountability and good governance across the public sector.
The findings of the General Auditing Commission on the Central Bank are not isolated incidents, but rather symptomatic of long-standing issues that have plagued government ministries and agencies dating back to 2007 when President Boakai served as Vice President.
The purpose of public sector audits is to improve governance and hold officials accountable for their stewardship of public resources. Also, it is intended to provide unbiased, objective assessments of whether or not public resources are responsibly and effectively managed to achieve intended results.
Yet, it appears that the Boakai administration is more focused on holding past administration officials accountable while its own team seems to be floating the rules of public sector management.
In the first six months of the Boakai administration, there have been several cases of violations of procurement laws and financial regulations.
The Ministry of Public Works has awarded millions of dollars in road contracts outside of the public procurement and concession laws, and the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Corporation has reached loan agreements without legislative approval.
Furthermore, under the president’s watch, millions of United States dollars of Central Bank reserves has been reportedly given to private banks, and the President himself has been involved in a back-door negotiation for the acquisition of multi-million-dollar road construction equipment, which raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and transparency.
This double standard and the administration’s failure to practice what it preaches are deeply troubling.
If the Boakai administration is truly committed to fighting corruption, then it must apply the same standards to its own team as it does to others.
Hypothetically applying the “Boakai standard” would mean that the president and his team should be suspended and sent to jail and or remove from office for financial mismanagement and serious compliance failures.
A government that is serious about fighting corruption must ensure that it is in good standing with governance practices and is above the fray, setting a moral ground that distinguishes it from the kleptocratic regimes of the past.
The Boakai administration has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and good governance, but it must be willing to hold itself to the same high standards it expects from others.
Anything less would be a betrayal of the Liberian people’s trust and a continuation of the cycle of corruption that has plagued the country for far too long.
