Assets Commissioner Pays Courtesy Call On Chief Justice

By Ralph Sesay
The Commissioner of the Government Assets and Property Commission, Mr. Abu Hondolo Moseray and senior management team have paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice, Babatunde Edwards, at his office in Freetown.
The delegation from the NAGPC comprises of the Chairman, Executive Secretary and other senior members of the Commission.
Addressing the Chief Justice, Commissioner Abu Hindolo Morseray noted that the visit was contingent upon the judiciary being very pivotal in achieving the mandate of his Commission.
He continued that the Commission badly needs to enforce the Act establishing the Commission. And as such, it needs the collaboration of a number of agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Anti Corruption Commission and the Sierra Leone Police.
Commissioner Morseray told the Chief Justice that he has similarly visited the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of Lands with a view to solicit support towards positioning the Commission, which, he noted, has a daunting task to fully record, document and take possession of all government assets and property.
Mr. Moseray told the Chief Justice that the NAGPC Act does not make provisions for the Commission to take punitive measures against people who default even when it has the responsibility of monitoring and controlling the use of government assets.
He referred to the ‘Best Practice Guide for the Use of the Government Assets’ jointly developed by the ACC and the Commission in 2011. He said that discussions are well underway to have the aid document reviewed with a view to take on board new emerging issues.
He appealed to the Chief Justice in making clear the roles and responsibilities of some MDAs in the management of the assets and properties of government, such as the Ministries of Lands, Transport and Works and Public Assets.
He concludes by expressing the intention of the Commission to pursue some properties, which, according to him, are owed by Government, such as the former railway properties at 46 and 25 Malama Thomas Street and many others that have remained contentious over the years.
Responding, the Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone assured the Commissioner and his team that his office is more than willing to collaborate and support them where ever necessary to fully execute their mandate.
The Honorable Chief Justice, in a no nonsense posture, told the visiting team that it should not be business as usual; and that all government assets and property should be fully accounted for as provided for by law. He urged the Commissioner to step up his mandate and ensure the fullest accountability for all government assets.
The National Assets and Government Property Commissioner was appointed in June, 2018 and has by law presented his maiden status report of all government assets and property to President Bio as provided for in the 1990 Statutory Act that establishes the Commission.