MONROVIA – In an effort to enhancing transparency and accountability in government asset management, Representative P. Mike Jurry of District #1, Maryland County, has called on the head of the Assets Recovery Team to appear before the plenary session of the House of Representatives.
Rep. Jurry’s request comes at a time when the public’s interest in the recovery of government-owned assets is at an all-time high.
With the ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s financial position and ensure that public resources are properly utilized, the role of the Assets Recovery Team has become increasingly crucial.
Speaking at a Media engagement at his Capitol building office in Monrovia, the Maryland County lawmaker emphasized the need for the team to provide a comprehensive update on its operations.
“The people of Maryland County and the nation as a whole have a right to know the status of the Assets Recovery Team,” he stated. “We need to understand how far they have progressed in their mission to retrieve government assets that have been misappropriated or lost over the years.”
The representative also pointed out that the briefing would help the House of Representatives and the public to gauge the prospects and challenges faced by the team.
“By having the head of the team present their findings and challenges, we can work together to develop strategies that will support their efforts and ensure the successful recovery of our valuable government assets,” he added.
It can be recalled that to restore credibility, accountability, and transparency in the governance process, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai issued Executive Order #126, effective immediately, for the retrieval and recovery of national assets.
The order established an Assets Recovery Task Force and an Office under the Minister of State for Special Services, mandated to put into place the necessary legal framework for the recovery of assets wrongfully acquired by current and former government officials.
Since its inception, the team has been working behind the scenes, conducting investigations and collaborating with various law enforcement agencies and international partners.
However, due to the sensitive nature of their work, details about the team’s progress have been scarce. Rep. Jurry believes that an open briefing in the House of Representatives will share light on the team’s activities and build public trust.
It is expected that the head of the Assets Recovery Team will appear before plenary on Tuesday, May 22, to address key questions during the plenary session.
These may include an overview of the assets that have been identified for recovery, the legal processes involved in repatriating them, and the obstacles faced in the course of their work.
Rep. Jurry noted that the House of Representatives is likely to closely examine the team’s report and may take further steps to support the recovery efforts. This could involve allocating additional resources, enacting legislation to facilitate asset recovery, or providing policy guidance to the team.
