Benin gov't officials asked to declare their wealth

Benin's National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANLC) has asked government officials who have been in their positions since 2011 to 2016 to declare their wealth, the agency said in a report released on Sunday.

ANLC based its appeal on the anti-corruption law adopted in 2011, which stipulated that in order to fight against corruption, government officials and people working in government institutions as well as ministries had to declare their wealth while joining and leaving government service.

"The law was adopted particularly to prevent and fight against illegal wealth acquisition," ANLC affirmed.

ANLC noted that out of 21 government ministers, only four have declared their wealth since entering government on May 17, 2016.

With regards to Parliament, ANLC report showed that out of 83 members of parliament, only six have declared their wealth.

ANLC urged all concerned authorities to ensure total compliance with the law by those expected to declare their wealth.

"The fight against illegal wealth acquisition, which was the goal of legislators when they adopted the law, risks becoming a wishful thinking if policy makers at all levels do not give a good example by promoting respect to the country's laws," ANLC concluded. Endit