THE SUSPENSION OF Rustonlyn Suakoko Dennis, President/CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), sends a powerful message about President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
THE ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING Dennis — chiefly the questionable purchase of a $75,000 SUV, which was reportedly inflated from a duty-paid price of $45,000 — are serious and demand swift action.
WHILE THE DECISION to suspend Dennis is an important step in addressing these charges, it cannot stand as an isolated instance of accountability.
THE ACCUSATIONS OF CORRUPTION against Dennis involve a $30,000 discrepancy in the purchase price of an MG 2024 RX8 SUV, as well as alleged kickbacks tied to the transaction, which reportedly included a second vehicle registered under her private company.
SUCH ACTIONS, if proven, represent a profound misuse of public funds and a clear violation of the public trust.
HOWEVER, AS COMMENDABLE as the suspension of Dennis is, it must be recognized that the fight against corruption cannot be selective.
THE LIBERIAN PUBLIC is closely watching for consistency in the administration’s response to corruption across all government sectors. If President Boakai is to be seen as genuinely committed to good governance, he must act decisively in all cases, not just those that attract the most immediate attention.
CURRENTLY, SEVERAL HIGH-RANKING officials are under investigation for allegations of corruption and misconduct.
COMMERCE INSPECTOR Dorr Cooper faces accusations of academic fraud, while Eugene Fahngon, Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), has been accused of unlawfully dismissing the LBS Workers Union President and undermining internal processes.
PERHAPS MORE CONCERNING are the allegations against Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, which are linked to the fraudulent NEKOTEH scholarship program. The scandal involves the misallocation of resources intended to benefit the country’s youth — a fundamental failure to uphold the core principles of good governance.
THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED cases, but part of a broader pattern of alleged corruption in the administration.
IF PRESIDENT BOAKAI is serious about tackling corruption, he must ensure that every individual accused of wrongdoing is held to the same standard, regardless of their position or proximity to power.
THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD not engage in selective enforcement based on political considerations or personal connections.
A COMMITMENT TO good governance requires impartiality, and public trust can only be restored if all officials are held equally accountable.
THE FAILURE TO ACT decisively on these matters sends a dangerous message: that corruption may be overlooked depending on the individual’s status. This undermines the very foundation of good governance and deepens the systemic issues that have long plagued Liberia.
CORRUPTION IS A nationwide problem, and it demands a comprehensive, fair approach to ensure justice for all.
THE SUSPENSION OF Dennis was a necessary and positive move, but it cannot be the only action taken. President Boakai’s commitment to fighting corruption must be backed by a broader, more consistent strategy that addresses all allegations of misconduct.
IF LIBERIA IS TO move forward, the President must take bold, decisive action against corruption at all levels of government. Anything less will only further erode public trust and hinder the country’s efforts toward long-term development.
