CENTAL Blasts Government Over $374,000 USD Payout to Tarlue Former CBL Governor ”

Monrovia, Liberia: The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has expressed its growing concern over the increasing insensitivity of President Joseph Boakai’s administration to the concerns of the Liberian people, particularly in the realm of corruption and governance.

In a statement made today, CENTAL highlighted a troubling discrepancy between President Boakai’s campaign promises and his administration’s actions. The organization referred to the President’s own words during his inauguration on January 22, 2024:

“I applaud the people of Liberia who voted in their numbers for change… The message they sent by their act of courage and determination is loud and clear: no more business as usual. It is a clarion call for a new Liberia, a different Liberia, a Liberia that genuinely practices the rule of law and adheres to the tenets of democratic governance in the interest of all our people.”

Despite these promises, CENTAL pointed out the growing pattern of actions that undermine the rule of law and transparency. One such example is the payment of over $374,000 to former Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Governor, Mr. Aloysius Tarlue, in a settlement over his removal. The settlement came after Tarlue’s suspension linked to an audit, raising questions about the true motives behind the President’s actions.

“A President who promised to uphold the rule of law would not go to such lengths to break the law to protect his interests,”  Anderson Miamen stated, emphasizing the legal and ethical concerns surrounding this issue.

The release also brought attention to the government’s alleged misuse of public funds, particularly in the case of high-ranking officials at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) earning salaries above $15,000. Despite an ongoing investigation into these claims, there has been no public disclosure of its findings.

Further compounding the issue, CENTAL reported that many officials of the Boakai administration have failed to comply with asset declaration requirements under the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Even after a directive from the President in November 2024, compliance has been poor, with no punitive actions taken thus far.

“In reality, the President’s inability to effectively address corruption has become embarrassing and glaringly evident. His snail-paced action and benevolence raise questions about the proper usage of taxpayers’ money,” CENTAL noted in the statement.

As part of its recommendations, CENTAL called on the Boakai administration to:

1. Provide a full public disclosure of the findings from the General Auditing Commission’s audit and explain the rationale behind the Tarlue settlement.

2. Prioritize the fight against corruption, ensuring that public funds are not used for questionable settlements and are instead directed toward critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The statement concluded with a call for continued press scrutiny: “We encourage the press to continue their invaluable work in uncovering the truth and advocating for a government that truly upholds the principles of transparency and accountability,” CENTAL urged.

In light of these concerns, it is clear that the Boakai administration faces growing scrutiny, and the need for action to demonstrate true commitment to democratic values and the rule of law has never been more urgent.