By Sylvanus Blake, Assistant PRO-ACC
The Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Augustine Foday Ngobie, on Wednesday, 28th December 2022, delivered a reassuring lecture on the role of the ACC in the Social Safety Net (SSN) project to hundreds of beneficiaries at the KDEC Primary School in Kenema.
The engagement which was necessitated by the visible information deficit among beneficiaries, attracted over 270 beneficiaries, most of whom, were persons living with disabilities, their caregivers, community stakeholders, and other members of the public.
In his presentation during the on the spot monitoring of the ongoing unconditional cash transfer of One Thousand, Three Hundred and Nine New Leones (NLe:1,309) or One Million, Three Hundred and Nine Thousand Leones (Le:1,309,000) to 36,000 beneficiaries in 8 districts, ACC's Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Ngobie- an experienced administrator, and a seasoned leader, informed beneficiaries, most of whom seemed dissatisfied because of the difficulties faced in accessing their monies, reassured them, stating that, the difficulties faced in the ongoing payment will in no way undermine the payment. "These are administrative and financial transaction issues that will be addressed. Your monies will be paid as engagements were at advanced stages to get them resolved. Be assured. Mr. Ngobie furthered.
Explaining the outline of the SSN project, the Deputy Commissioner said that beneficiaries will not be paid at the same time. Payments will be held in the morning and evening for a targeted number of beneficiaries every day. But confirmed that all beneficiaries would be paid.
He encouraged them to be patient and supportive of the process for ease and speed.
He underscored that the ACC, which leads in the roll out of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) component of the SSN project will continue to at all times ensure the integrity and transparency in the project by promptly and adequately addressing all corruption-related concerns.
He encouraged them to make their complaints or concerns to the ACC through the stationed ACC Community Monitors at every center, visit ACC offices in every Region and Kono, call the ACC toll-free hotlines 077-985985 or 077-986986 or through its website at www.anticorruption.gov.sl
The lecture left beneficiaries at ease as those who were not scheduled to receive their payments were left confident that they would be paid eventually.
The beneficiaries praised the strong show of leadership and commitment from the ACC at the highest level.
One Victor S. Koroma, who was initially apprehensive, was left relaxed in his wheelchair after the engagement with the Deputy Commissioner. "This display of leadership by ACC number two person is what this nation needs and what we (people living with disabilities) crave for. I believe we are now abreast with the process, and we shall remain calm until we are all paid. Thank you for serving us", he said smiling.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Vice Chairman, Kenema District Association for the Blind, Jusu Kallon.
© Public Relations Unit, ACC
