Minister Julius Espat Calls for Greater Accountability in Asset Declarations

Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Julius Espat, submitted his 13th report to the Integrity Commission on Tuesday. On a social media post, Espat said, “Transparency and accountability are the foundation of good leadership, and I urge all elected representatives to lead by example.”

Speaking in an interview with News 5, Espat stated, “It’s important to show transparency and accountability in your personal assets.”

All elected officials, including mayors and area representatives, are required to declare their assets from their first year in office. He said even after leaving office, officials must continue submitting declarations for an additional five years.

“It’s part of accountability; it’s part of good governance, and I think it’s something that is healthy for democracy,” Espat explained. “I have done so from the first day that I was elected. So this declaration I handed in this week was my 13th.”

Espat noted that penalties exist for non-compliance, with fines of up to $100 per day for late submissions. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether any public officials had actually been charged for failing to comply.

Reflecting on past enforcement, Espat recalled that during the United Democratic Party (UDP) administration under former Prime Minister Dean Barrow, a decision was made to clear all area representatives from their asset declaration obligations up to 2016. He remarked, “We had that vigorous debate in the House as to why he did that, but it was done. As far as I understand, it is from 2016 to date that is pending.”

While Espat acknowledged that the forms for declaring assets are straightforward, he stressed that enforcement remains a challenge. “What is lacking, I believe, is the enforcement of when you don’t declare,” he said.

He commended the Integrity Commission for its efforts in reminding area representatives of their obligations. “I have seen that most area reps are doing it now, compared to in the past where nobody was doing it. Before 2016, nobody was doing it.”