The Assets Recovery team, previously established, has commenced the retrieval of government assets by seizing approximately 16 stolen government vehicles along the Vamuma to Monrovia route.
Robert Wilson, the Deputy Director for Operations at the General Services Agency, stated that the ongoing process will extend to various counties, beginning as early as 5 AM, to recover government vehicles that have been stolen.
Wilson noted that individuals caught with government vehicles and license plates have attempted to evade detection on multiple occasions, but have been apprehended with the assistance of the Military Transport Inspection Team.
“Well this is our first action as Assets Recovery team we are making sure to trace and track all government vehicles, but for today we only got hold of 16". He said
Wilson at the same time stated that those who stole government vehicles will be prosecuted through the ministry of Justice and the Liberia national police according to the law.
The Task Force is authorized to retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets, identify and trace all stolen and suspicious assets within and outside Liberia, establish an investigative panel, and constitute an effective legal, research, and investigative team to procure tangible evidence. It is also required to initiate criminal prosecution and civil litigation on behalf of the Government, return confiscated assets to Liberia upon adjudication, and place travel and other restrictions on all individuals identified as suspects while undergoing investigation for stolen and suspicious assets.
The Task Force is urged to employ diplomatic, and Interpol means to extradite individuals identified as suspects who are outside Liberia's jurisdiction and bring them under the investigative team's jurisdiction.
President Boakai also emphasized that the Task Force should retrieve assets from private individuals who have illegally purchased government assets.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is mandated to allocate and disburse funds according to the budget presented for the full implementation of this exercise, effective immediately.
Bong, Maryland, Lofa, Nimba, and Cape Mount are identified by Wilson as the next targeted areas.
