Integrity watch CENTAL, calls on President Boakai to dismiss Acting Head of Liberia Telecommunication Authority, Abdullai Kamara and Inspector General of Commerce Dorr Cooper, for alleged corruption.
By Lewis S. Teh
Bomi County, Liberia, November 27, 2024 – Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia or CENTAL urges President Joseph Boakai to immediately remove the acting Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Mr. Abdullai Kamara and dismiss Mr. Dorr Cooper, inspector at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for alleged acts of corruption and other abuses.
“We call on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to do the needful to send a stern warning against corruption and abuse of office by taking timely and decisive administrative actions against officials found wanting”, says CENTAL.
Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen made the call in a news conference held Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at CENTAL Head Office in Monrovia.
According to him, an audit by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) reveals that Mr. Abdullai Kamara has been embroiled in violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Law, when he formerly served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for TAMMA Corporation.
Mr. Miamen recalls that the GAC audit uncovered that payments totaling LRD262,844,500 and US$450,000 were made to TAMMA Corporation and 231 Data Incorporated without adherence to procurement protocols or documentation.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Press: in the face of this damming report from the GAC, CENTAL is surprised that no public action, including investigation or otherwise, has since been taken against Mr. Kamara.
As far as we know, Mr. Kamara still enjoys the confidence of the presidency, as long as he continues to serve at the LTA, the same institution whose resources he is accused of joining ranks with key members of the previous administration to pillage. Ironically, early this year, the President swiftly acted on allegations of corruption at LTA to suspend the former board of commissioners and made new appointments” he notes.
He says CENTAL wonders how come the President has not acted on GAC’s report on the same LTA implicating Mr. Kamara is a mystery, adding that it is also further concerning that Mr. Kamara and the other Commissioners of the LTA continue to serve in an acting capacity and enjoy all benefits appertaining to the office, since April 2024.
“We believe that this action is counter-productive, especially in the face of GAC audit findings regarding suspended LTA officials and Mr. Kamara. There is a need for definite position of the President regarding the LTA.”
The outspoken anti-corruption advocate further recalls that in the weeks following the commencement convocation of the University of Liberia (UL), Commerce Inspector General, Mr. Dorr Cooper, was said to have dressed up in the official graduation regalia, proceeded for the commencement convocation, but could not find his name in the program as a graduate.
He says such situation drew public attention, especially so that a highly-placed public official would attempt to defraud the University by graduating, even though he did not complete courses required for graduation. Following an investigation into the matter by authorities of the University, Mr. Cooper was found guilty of fraud and recommended for prosecution.
He points out that despite the gravity of the incident and the findings from the investigation, based upon which UL authorities dismissed and suspended some employees, Mr. Cooper has not been dismissed by the President, neither has he been prosecuted, saying “We wonder why.”
The CENTAL boss believes that those developments significantly undermine the fight against corruption and the President’s anti-corruption agenda, despite some positive efforts at other ends.
He underscores that the President must build upon his positive efforts to send stronger messages to government officials, citizens and development partners about his commitment to pursue a robust, transparent, public-interest-driven and an impartial fight against corruption, waste and other misdeeds in government.
“The President’s apparent shielding of some officials, relative selective actions against persons accused of wrongdoing in his administration, and slow pace of actions/decision-making on critical matters run contrary to his anti-corruption promises.”
Miamen references part 10 of the amended 2022 Code of Conduct which he says, mandates both elected and appointed officials of government to declare their assets, incomes, and liabilities before assuming office.
He recalls that as of August 2024, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) reported that over 70% of officials appointed by President Boakai have refused to declare their assets, incomes and liabilities.
Unfortunately, such wanton disregard for a very crucial transparency and accountability process in government has not claimed the attention of President Boakai, as he is yet to warn, suspend and even dismiss the non-compliant officials, frowns Miamen.
In his words, the deliberate actions of the ‘chief executive’ is highly troubling, as it undermines the President’s anti-corruption commitment.
The tough talking Anti-Corruption advocate describe president Boakai Anti-Corruption efforts as cherry picking thereby accusing the Liberian leader of showing partiality in his fight against corruption.
“President Boakai is very slow to act or turns a blind eye, fueling allegations of relative partiality in his accountability efforts”
He says CENTAL has observed a tacit attempt by the government to turn a blind eye to critical decisions against some officials alleged to have violated key anti-corruption laws or indulged in corruption and other misdeeds.
He continues that the President must also suspend and dismiss public officials, who have knowingly and recklessly refused to declare their assets, incomes and liabilities, in violation of the Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, he says the President must compel his officials to comply with the mandate of the Office of Ombudsman; show leadership by timely and decisively acting on crucial matters, including those bordering on the fight against corruption; and provide adequate moral and financial support to anti-graft institutions to operate at full capacity.
“We encourage civil society, the media, and citizens to remain vocal, robust and constructive in engaging with national and local government processes by demanding accountability from policy makers and denouncing corruption themselves”, he adds. Editing by Jonathan Browne
