By: Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Eastern Regional Office has held an engagement with the National Fire Force (NFF) Office in Kenema.
Explaining the purpose of the engagement, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer (SPEO), Edward Nathaniel Blake said the visit was designed to foster a deeper understanding of the detrimental effects of corruption by the Fire Force team and as well encourage them to uphold high ethical standards in their operations.
The SPEO further drew the attention of NFF staff to the severe consequences corruption has had on Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development, emphasising how corruption at various levels has not only derailed development, but immensely contributed to crisis, costing lives and undermining public trust in State institutions.“The fight against corruption is not just about holding individuals accountable. It is about protecting the future of this nation,” he furthered. He therefore urged personnel of the Force to freely participate in the interactive engagement, stressing that by upholding integrity and transparency, they could play a significant role in changing the narrative and preventing the nation from repeating past mistakes.
One of the key focuses of the meeting was to encourage the NFF staff to maintain high standards of integrity in the discharge of their duties. The ACC emphasized that as public servants, their actions directly influence the trust the public has in the government and public institutions. The Senior Public Education Officer reminded the staff of their critical roles in ensuring public safety and security, noting that maintaining transparency and accountability would significantly improve their efficiency and the reputation of the National Fire Force.
"We must all be ambassadors for change. We must lead by example, we must uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of our responsibilities while serving the people of Sierra Leone,” said ACC’s Public Education Officer, Patrick Hinga George as he cued in from the SPEO.
Mr. George took time to explain the following key corruption offences as contained in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, as amended in 2019: Misappropriation of public funds, Abuse of Office, Abuse of Position, Corrupt Acquisition of Wealth, Possession of Unexplained Wealth and Conflict of Interest among others. He highlighted the corresponding penalties; a minimum fine of Five Thousand (New) Leones, Five-year imprisonment and/or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Judge.
Mr. George concluded by stressing the importance of adhering to ethical conduct and the anti-corruption laws, emphasizing that these laws were designed not only to punish wrongdoers but also, to protect the integrity of public institutions, build public trust and above all, enhance public peace and development.
In a powerful call to action, the ACC Regional Manager, Peter Baio Kamara sought to inject confidence into the NFF staff, encouraged them to become active participants in the fight against corruption. He assured them of their legal protection as whistleblowers, stating that the law provides full protection for those who report acts of corruption to the Commission. Whistleblowers, he explained, are not only safeguarded but are often rewarded for their courage in exposing corruption. “We need you to be our allies. We need you to be our eyes and ears. Corruption thrives in secrecy and silence, but together, we can expose it and put an end to its destructive impact," the Manager urged.
In response to the ACC team, the Regional Commander, Samuel A. George of the NFF lauded the ACC's visit as timely and constructive. He however shared their concerns, citing several challenges they often face in carrying out their duties, and called for improvements in the provision of essential resources and/or services including life insurance, risk allowances, logistics such as uniforms and boots, and the availability of fire engines. He emphasized that these issues, if addressed, would significantly enhance the Fire Force's ability to perform its critical work with greater effectiveness and safety.
The Commander further expressed their commitment to fully support the ACC in its anti-corruption efforts. He assured the ACC that they would remain steadfast in their dedication to upholding integrity and reporting any acts of corruption. "We are with you in this fight. The Fire Force is committed to playing its part in riding the nation of corruption," asserted the Regional Commander.
Questions, contributions and/or comments formed part of the engagement.
