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In the latest report to the Security Council on the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki-Moon noted that more action is required by the Government of Liberia to tackle corruption in Liberia, including through prosecution of corrupt officials when required.

According to UN Daily News, February 22, 2010, the UN Secretary General emphasized that the public’s perception of corruption among officials undermined “confidence in the Government’s commitment to good governance and the rule of law.”

The publication noted that the fight against corruption is pertinent especially ahead of preparations for the 2011 general and presidential elections which will be under the full charge of Liberians, with international assistance.

The General Auditing Commission (GAC) in line with its statutory mandate as enshrined in Section 53.3 of the 1972 Executive Law of Liberia has concluded a Special Forensic Audit Report on the Fraudulent Transfer of US1, 171,751 from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to the Ecobank Liberia limited. The report was submitted today to the National Legislature and the President of Liberia.

GAC release says, the Auditor General  on 26 May 2009 commissioned this audit based on the Letter of Payment (LPI) request supposedly directed by the President of Liberia through the Deputy Minister of Finance for Revenue.

Letters of Payment, according to the Forensic Audit report, were means through which previous administrations circumvented commitment control and legally sanctioned financial management processes.

The General Auditing Commission (GAC) says it has finally submitted draft copies of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) audit reports to the various specified audited institutions, namely, the Ministries of Finance, Education, Public Works, Health and Social Welfare and Lands Mines and Energy.  

GAC Director of Communications, Ernest S. Maximore, says because GAC audits are the only non-negotiable aspect of HIPC, the Auditor General and the team of diligent and devoted supreme auditors has been working from Sundays to Sundays and sometimes as late as 11 pm to finish all of the audits to meet international standards.  

Maximore indicates that this second phase of the HIPC started since July 2009 but GAC was not receiving cooperation from the auditees and that support from the government was at a snail's pace; but he notes that in the last month, GAC is pleased that cooperation and support increased so GAC was able to complete the task.

GENERAL AUDITING COMMISSION ANNOUCEMENT TO VENDORS THAT TRANSACTED BUSINESS WITH THE HIPC INSTITUTIONS AND MICAT 

The Auditor General is empowered under Chapter 53.3(e) of the Executive Law of 1972 to, "Inspect the books of account of privately owned commercial and manufacturing establishments for the purpose of verifying transactions with Government agencies and Government organizations, requiring outside written, confirmations of accounts receivable and employing such other extended audit procedures as are necessary.”  

The General Auditing Commission is finalizing the HIPC audits and audits of other Government institutions. It has proven difficult to obtain confirmation of transactions with many suppliers and vendors. GAC audit team has also not been able to locate many of these companies. There is therefore a high risk of fictitious transactions and bogus companies that have entered into the Government of Liberia financial management system.