Competition for the Head of ARMA announced: The Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Duma
30 July 12:30
Today, on July 30, the Cabinet of Ministers dismissed the head of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), Olena Duma. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Svyrydenko said she had initiated a complete reboot of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA).
“Yesterday I addressed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an initiative to completely reboot the Asset Recovery and Management Agency,” Svyrydenko said.
According to the Prime Minister, the President supported the government’s plan. In response, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to dismiss the current head of the ARMA at today’s meeting.
“Today, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the head of the agency was dismissed. I have instructed to urgently launch a new competition,” Svyrydenko said.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the competition commission would include not only government representatives but also international partners – states and organizations that support Ukraine in the fight against corruption.
The purpose of the restart is to ensure effective management of seized assets, including those belonging to sanctioned persons and the aggressor state.
“The main task is to ensure that all seized assets, assets of sanctioned persons and property belonging to Russia work as much as possible for the defense and stability of Ukraine,” Svyrydenko emphasized.
It has not yet been announced who will temporarily act as the head of the agency.
It should be noted that this morning, the head of the National Agency for Asset Recovery and Management (ARMA), Olena Duma, announced her resignation.
In a statement released on July 30, she explained that today is a symbolic moment, as the law on strengthening the institutional capacity of the ARMA has entered into force. Thus, a new stage in the agency’s history begins, which, according to the Duma, should be led by a different leader.
The head of ARMA emphasized that the new law paves the way for an independent international audit of the agency, and it is the preparation for this process that requires a change of leadership.
As a reminder, on February 12, the Verkhovna Rada supported in the first reading the draft law on reforming the Asset Recovery and Management Agency.
On July 27, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the laws on reforming the National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes (ARMA) and factoring.
The document provides for new requirements for the head of ARMA, an updated selection procedure, the introduction of a mandatory independent audit, a public competition for managers of seized assets, and control and accountability at all stages of management.
