THE State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) says it has discovered an “astounding†scale of corruption here and urged that the States Assets Recovery Bill must be passed swiftly.SARU’s comments come in wake of a letter written by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to the Speaker of the National Assembly, urging that the Bill which was tabled in Parliament recently, be sent to a special select committee for fine-tuning.
SARU said in accordance with Article 54 (1) © of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), each State party must “consider taking such measures as may be necessary to allow confiscation of property without criminal conviction.†In this context, SARU said the SARA Bill is designed to facilitate the recovery of illicitly obtained property through civil processes, with the primary objective of reducing the consequential damaging effects of corruption on sustainable development.
According to the unit, the opinions of any Private Sector Commission or equivalent should be principled, balanced and near impartial.
“Honest business prefers a fair and principled environment. The passage of this Bill will allow the new Agency to direct a laser-like focus on such assets obtained through corruption, the loss of which has frustrated the development of this country.â€
SARU said in accordance with Article 54 (1) © of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), each State party must “consider taking such measures as may be necessary to allow confiscation of property without criminal conviction.†In this context, SARU said the SARA Bill is designed to facilitate the recovery of illicitly obtained property through civil processes, with the primary objective of reducing the consequential damaging effects of corruption on sustainable development.
According to the unit, the opinions of any Private Sector Commission or equivalent should be principled, balanced and near impartial.
“Honest business prefers a fair and principled environment. The passage of this Bill will allow the new Agency to direct a laser-like focus on such assets obtained through corruption, the loss of which has frustrated the development of this country.â€