MONROVIA – The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has clarified that the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) is allocated US$2.3 million in the draft Fiscal Year 2026 national budget, addressing concerns raised earlier by AREPT Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) on Monday, November 10, 2025, Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan emphasized that the budget fully supports the taskforce’s operations. “Assets Recovery is in the budget, we allocated 2.3 million USD. The Budget is a whole book so it is there,” he told journalists.
Earlier the same day, Cllr. Martin had publicly expressed concerns about the taskforce’s funding during an appearance on the OK FM Morning Rush program, claiming that the FY2026 draft budget lacked adequate resources for AREPT’s operations. “Somebody sent me the draft budget and nothing is in it, and I think it is an oversight,” Martin said, urging the Ministry of Finance to revisit the allocations. He warned that insufficient funding could compromise the taskforce’s ability to carry out its mandate.
Martin highlighted the operational constraints faced by AREPT, noting that logistics, intelligence gathering, and other critical expenses continue to strain the taskforce’s limited resources. “The guys need to be adequately supported,” he told host Clarence Jackson, underscoring that without proper funding, AREPT risks failing to meet its recovery objectives.
A significant case currently underway in the British High Court underscores the importance of adequate resources for AREPT. Martin revealed that Liberia is pursuing the recovery of approximately US$8 million believed to have been wrongfully taken from the state. “We are currently making our case at the British High Court that could see eight million brought back to the country. I should be going there to make the case,” he told listeners, emphasizing the international scope of AREPT’s mandate.
Established to trace and reclaim misappropriated funds and properties, AREPT has been a central instrument in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen accountability and combat corruption. Its ability to operate effectively hinges on sufficient budgetary allocations, according to Martin. He stressed that without proper financial support, the taskforce would struggle to maintain operational efficiency and achieve successful asset recoveries.
Minister Ngafuan’s clarification at MICAT sought to address public confusion and reaffirm that AREPT’s budgetary needs are incorporated into the FY2026 draft. “The Budget is a whole book, so it is there,” he said, urging all stakeholders to review the budget in its entirety before raising concerns. The Finance Minister also noted that the draft national budget, delivered to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon on Friday, November 7, 2025, totals US$1.2 billion and contains significant allocations to agencies responsible for governance reforms and public accountability.
The clarification follows a period of heightened scrutiny over the government’s budget allocations for oversight and recovery agencies, particularly in the context of Liberia’s ongoing efforts to restore public funds lost through corruption or mismanagement. AREPT’s role in such initiatives has made its operational capacity a subject of public interest, especially as major recovery cases unfold abroad.
Cllr. Martin’s comments also reflect concerns among civil society and accountability advocates that budget allocations must be transparent, adequate, and aligned with institutional mandates. He urged continued dialogue with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that AREPT is positioned to perform effectively in the coming fiscal year.
Despite the initial disagreement, both Martin and Ngafuan emphasized the importance of ensuring that AREPT has the resources necessary to continue recovering assets critical to Liberia’s development. The budget allocation, they agree, is essential not only for day-to-day operations but also for enabling the taskforce to pursue high-stakes international cases that could return millions of dollars to the state.
