Monrovia — The Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris says over the last two and half months, the commission has paid courtesy calls and made contact with a number of civil society organizations and developmental partners in a bid to forge partnership and solicit support for the work of the commission.

She said during the period under review, the commission met with the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), International Monetary Funds (IMF), UNDP, USAID, World Bank, International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Cllr. Johnson-Morris spoke last Friday during a news conference held at the Commission's headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia.

She said during the mentioned period, members of LACC also visited the General Auditing Commission (GAC) which has placed at the commission's disposal the use of its specialized facilities as maybe necessary.

"The visits and contacts we made have to some degree paid off with sponsorship from UNDP which facilitated the travel of the Chairperson to Nigeria to attend an anti-fraud/corruption seminar in October 2008; the offer from OSIWA to provide the commission with internet service and CENTAL's offered to construct the commission's website," Cllr. Johnson-Morris stated.

She said while these contributions may seem small in monetary value, they demonstrate the commitment of these partners to fight against corruption.

The LACC Chairperson said the commission would be recruiting line managers for three divisions under the Secretariat including Divisions for Administration, Enforcement and Prevention and Education.

She said "this painstaking vetting process for senior members of the Commission is necessary for enhancing transparency and building of a credible and efficient institution; this is one of the reasons, among others, why the commission has not yet commenced its investigation and prosecutorial roles.

Cllr. Johnson-Morris pointed out that the Division of Enforcement which is critical to the execution of the commission roles requires a crack team of forensic investigators, auditors, lawyers and intelligence officers who would be well equipped in order to discharge their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

She said senior staffers of the Commission would be subjected to rigorous scrutiny so as to attract the caliber of individuals required for this kind of work in terms of education, competence and moral rectitude.

The tough-talking LACC Chairperson revealed that "the commission is working on its internal code of conduct which would be finalized, approved and adopted when other senior staffers come on board and are given a chance to give their inputs; this should be concluded by January 2009."

She commended the people of Liberia for their unprecedented interest demonstrated in the eradication of corruption from the society.

Cllr. Johnson-Morris also lauded the Liberian media for its vigilance in exposing corruption and called on Liberia's development partners to support the commission so that it becomes functional to meet the challenge.