AS police investigations continue into the alleged misappropriation of state-owned vehicles, eight from the Public Service Ministry have been returned to the Ministry of the Presidency, according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.He revealed that between June 19 and 20, five vehicles were returned, and “all except one drove in on their own steam”. Three vehicles were returned before June 19. The set of vehicles was reportedly transferred in the waning days of the previous Administration at the behest of former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford, to several individuals.

At a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister Harmon opined that the persons who returned the vehicles probably took the opportunity to take advantage of the limited amnesty offered by Government, to have persons return state assets before they are prosecuted. “I believe some persons took that very seriously and decided to bring them in”. An audit, one of several being undertaken to account for state assets, revealed that vehicles had been transferred, just prior or after, the May 11, 2015 General Elections.

A State Asset Recovery Programme has been set up to ensure the return of state assets, wherever they may be located. The unit is headed by Professor Clive Thomas and persons who will function in that unit have been identified.

He said that offers to assist in this effort have even been obtained from persons residing overseas, “people who know where things are. In fact every morning you (are) getting reports about two vehicles gone somewhere, they take off the number plate and somebody throws canvas over it, but we will get to all of them”. It was pointed out by Minister Harmon, that in one day alone, in May, 28 vehicles were transferred.

The State Asset Recovery Unit will examine all of the cases and decide on how they will proceed. “That is why I said to all persons who have Government assets to bring them in. I don’t want to come after you because I want to look forward”.

He emphasised that Government is interested in looking forward to the future and is not interested in looking back, “I don’t have time for looking back, so help me, help this Government in looking forward by bringing in the assets, because we’ll have to send people behind you, if you don’t!”

(GINA)