MONROVIA: A local trade union organization, National Trade Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NTUPAW), has commended the Unity Party (UP) led government for setting up an Asset Recovery Taskforce intended to retrieve all stolen assets of government locally and internationally.
Recently, the President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, issued Executive Order No. 126, establishing the Office of Assets Recovery.
According to President Boakai, the setting up of the Office is in response to widespread concerns regarding the unlawful acquisition of wealth by some past government officials at the expense of the Liberian people.
NTUPAW’s Secretary General, Mr. Tye K.S. Jaye, told a News Conference over the weekend at his office that the setting up of the Asset Recovery team must be commended by all well-meaning Liberians at home and abroad.
He pointed out that the measure will go a long way in putting to an end unbridled acts of corruption including siphoning of public finances and resources.
He maintains those suspected to be involved in such acts must be made to account for public resources.
The NTUPAW Secretary General quoted the Liberian leader as saying that the Asset Recovery team was paramount that public assets that were illegally obtained and converted to private use be retrieved and returned to the Liberian people.
He asserted that perpetrators of corruption must be brought to justice in accordance with appropriate laws that provide for confiscation through criminal investigation and legal prosecution and…”
According to him, the work of the Asset Recovery team is in the best interest of the country.
He used the occasion to call on all Liberians to embrace and support the government’s Asset Recovery program and cautioned against people alleging that the formation of the Asset Recovery team is ‘witch-hunt.’
He blamed Liberia’s socio-economic backwardness and underdevelopment to corruption.
He added that the National Trade Union of Public Service and Allied Workers is in full support of government effort in fighting against corruption.
He cautions that anyone detected by the Asset Recovery team who may have acquired riches through some dubious must be arrested and prosecuted, and if found guilty, face the legally appropriate punishment.
He expressed the belief that when this is done, it will serve as a deterrence to people who may want to get involved in such acts of corruption in the Nation’s public sector.
