Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has observed that asset recovery has become a vital tool in the fight against corruption globally. 

Mr Kabesha says this is the reason the government has embarked on legal reforms to align the Zambian Laws on forfeited asset management with international best practices. 

The Attorney General has further  noted that forfeited assets allow countries to channel them towards developmental projects at the same time depriving criminals from illicit gains. 

ZANIS reports that Mr Kabesha was speaking during the official opening of a three day asset management workshop in Lusaka today.

The Attorney General  pointed out that  effective management of seized assets is critical in achieving the broader end of Justice as well as ensuring that the country benefits from forfeited assets . 

 “This training has come at the right time as it will provide us with an opportunity to learn some of the interventional best practices in asset management which information shall be useful in our legal reform process,” he stated. 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) National Project Manager, Liya Tembo  commended the government for the progress made in asset recovery through the seizure of a diverse range of assets, including helicopters, airplanes, and  buildings.

Ms Tembo also praised the government for the amendments made to the Criminal Asset Recovery and Management Act, which aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage confiscated assets. 

 Acting Secretary to the Treasury, Nsandi Manza thanked members of the Inter-Agency Framework for the dedication and commitment to ensuring that the bill is finalized. 

Ms Manza stated that the government expects the bill, once enacted, to enhance asset management and contribute to the social economic development of the country. 

“In the interim and  in an  effort to preserve the value of such assets, my office with support from the competent authorities and the committee of survey will endeavor to expeditiously finalise  the process of disposing off  identified assets,” she explained.