House Passes Anti Corruption Bill

By Helroz Zorleh

The House of Representatives yesterday passed the Anti Corruption Act establishing the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC). The passage of the Act follows eight Months of careful scrutiny by joint Committees of the House.

The Joint Committees underlined the importance of the bill stating that it would gear towards the eradication of corruption in the country. After a details report of the Joint Committees work to the plenary by officials of the committees, majority members of the House unanimous voted to pass it.

In keeping with the Standing Rules and Orders of the House, the proposed Act was passed unto the committees on Judiciary and Good Governance and Government reform to study, scrutinize and report findings and recommendations for the consideration of plenary.

The Joint Committees said during deliberation of the Bill by plenary and through several public hearings, certain key sections of the society presented points of contention which in the opinion of the contesting parties, were meant to practice selective justice or reintroduce the proposed Asset Freeze Bill that was defeated by the House.

The Joint Committees said there were still others who felt strongly that the wording of the Bill were adequate if, indeed, it was meant to achieve its intended objectives.

The Joint Committees indicated that after lengthy discussions over the last eight months, several contentious issues were resolved based upon which it was pleased to forward the Act to establish the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for passage by the House of representative and subsequent concurrence by the Senate.