The NorthWest Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission has engaged public officers attached at the Gbalamuya Customs Border Post to protect public revenue and uphold transparency in their operations and safeguard national interests and economic growth. The engagement brought together staff of the National Revenue Authority, Immigration, National Minerals Agency, the Sierra Leone Police, Standards Bureau, the Military, Financial Intelligence Agency, Office of the President and other public bodies.
The engagement according to the Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh was convened to engage staff on various issues on corruption and for the Newly appointed Regional Director to familiarize and collaborate with Minisries, Departments and Agency in the region. Explaining the three prong approaches to the fight against corruption, Mr Sankoh said the commission new leadership in the region came with renewed energy and looked forward to fostering sustainable partnerships that will help to address or mitigate corruption risks in public bodies.
The Regional Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Zainab Othman, in addressing public officers, stated that corruption adversely affects revenue mobilization, diverts funds, and hinders economic growth and public service delivery. She noted that public officers attached at the crossing point must be mindful of their role in protecting public revenue as it serves as one of the main bread basket for the nation. She noted that as the ACC is now closer to them, the commission will continue to look at their activities and make necessary effort to collaborate with other stakeholders to combat graft and bribery. Director Othman warned them to be mindful of the ACC laws and urged them to demonstrate the highest from of professionalism and integrity in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
Explaining key corruption related offences to staff deployed at the Custom post, Public Education Officer Mohamed Thullah made a comprehensible presentation of offences in the Anti-Corruption Act relating to offering, soliciting and accepting advantage, soliciting an advantage for a public officer, misappropriation of public funds and property, abuse of office and position, conspiracy to commit a corruption offence among other things.
Speaking on ethical conduct, Mr Thullah informed them that the 2019 Amendment Act of the ACC has made corruption a very risky and unprofitable venture. Among other things, he added that the Amendment Act has strengthened and narrowed the asset declaration regime, trial in absentia, restitution, examination malpractice as a punishable offence
empowered to cancel all contract deemed not to be in the interest of the public and jail terms and fines increased to five years and fifty million Leone respectively.
In his welcome remarks, Manager of the National Revenue Authority Mr Edward Jusu welcomed the ACC team and thanked them for engaging and sensitizing public officers on key corruption issues their role in the fight against corruption.
He pointed out that the engagement will immensely guide their operations and map out areas of collaboration between the commission and public service institutions. He registered his commitment to continue to enhance best practices and to conform to operational guidelines and procedures. Head of Immigration Mr Beldon Kallon and other Heads of institutions shared expressed similar sentiment to support the fight against corruption.
