By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
In a Regional Stakeholders Engagement held at the Kenema District Council, marking the conclusion of a two-day training workshop from the 30th - 31st October , 2024, on Green Public Works (GPW) which is a sub-component of Component 2B involving cleaning and tree planting, under the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reiterated its commitment to rigorous monitoring and oversight.
This effort is aimed at ensuring that resources allocated to this project reach the citizens as intended.
In his address, Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie underscored the importance of hands-on supervision, stressing his dedication to travelling to remote areas to validate that project implementation aligns with the intended goals. “We are the gatekeepers and moral guarantors,” he affirmed.
He further emphasized that the Commission relies on direct supervision rather than secondary sources like photographs or reports to verify progress.
In continuation, Mr. Ngobie disclosed that recent monitoring efforts have led to the arrest and ongoing investigation of individuals involved in irregularities within one of the project components. "The Commission will remain vigilant and uncompromising in its commitment to holding offenders accountable, regardless of the amount involved,” he averred.
He encouraged stakeholders to communicate to their communities the Government’s commitment to protecting these resources, stressing that His Excellency the President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio has mandated stringent measures to safeguard the project’s integrity and global partners including the World Bank, bank on the ACC’s robust oversight, and the Commission remains resolute in regard this role.
“We are here to support you in upholding the project’s requirements and assure you of our protection against any potential reprisals, provided your work aligns with the established guidelines,” Mr. Ngobie assured.
Ambassador Ernest Ndomahina, Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), expressed his commendation for the ACC's strategic approach.
He emphasized the importance of extending the GPW program’s benefits to regions beyond Freetown, thus creating valuable job opportunities for youth and women across the country. “The Stakeholders Engagement serves as a crucial reminder of the principles guiding seamless project implementation,” he remarked.
Additional statements were delivered by various stakeholders, including His Worship, the Mayor of Kenema City, Thomas Baio, Mohamed Robinson, Mayor, Bonthe Municipal Council, and Hawa Campbell, Deputy Mayor of Bo City Council, all of whom reiterated their commitment to supporting the PSSNYE project.
The primary objective of this engagement is to introduce the GPW sub-component of the PSSNYE project, gather feedback on temporary job creation, and discuss the initiative’s role in fostering inclusive and sustainable community led solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation challenges in urban areas.
Similar engagements were simultaneously held in Port Loko City for the North West Region, Pujehun and Falaba Towns, for Pujehun and Falaba Districts, with participants drawn from Municipal Council Leaders, local representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.
