By: Bernard A. Kargbo
Staff from the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Secretariat of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have engaged the Management of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA) on the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2019 to 2023. The engagement took place at the Lungi International Airport, Port Loko District, on Wednesday 23rd February, 2022.
After a successful nationwide monitoring exercise by the NACS Secretariat on the 2019-2023 Strategy, to ascertain the progress that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have made in the implementation of the Strategy, SLAA was one of eighteen (18) MDAs in the non-responsive category. The NACS Secretariat, being one of the preventive arms of the Commission, decided to engage the Management of the Authority on the findings of the monitoring report and seek their support to ensure full implementation of the Strategy.
Speaking at the engagement, Manager of the NACS Secretariat, Wilfred Bangura admonished all present that NACS is not in the Authority to coerce or frighten them, but to foster compliance which will eventually ensure a corrupt-free environment and effective and efficient service delivery. He said that, in order to overcome the challenges within the Authority, internal auditors should be holding regular meetings with their vote-controllers and there should be an operational service charter displayed for all those accessing their services.
Mr. Bangura also encouraged the SLAA to develop a quarterly work plan, and make the institution’s Integrity Management Committee operational and functional.
Highlighting reasons for the SLAA to be in the list of non-responsive MDAs, the Public Relations Manager of SLAA, Betty Brima, acknowledged the fact that the IMC in their institution has been too functional due to the COVID-19 outbreak which has prevented them from holding meetings. She however pledged to revive the IMC and make it very efficient and effective.
Tommy Margao, Head of Administration, SLAA praised the Commission for its tireless efforts in combating corruption and pledged his support to the implementation of the Strategy and revamping of the IMC in the institution.
