Can President Koroma read the evidence on the Edmund Koroma/ACC saga??
I recently wrote a piece on the current saga between the ACC and those under investigations by the ACC, among them, Gibriel Saccoh who is Deputy Director-General at NASSIT, Mohamed Bah who was Director of Finance at NASSIT who recently resigned his post due to alleged ‘harassment’ by some NASSIT top brass. Edmund Koroma, among other people is also being investigated by ACC
Edmund Koroma was Director-General when the ferries’ investment was made. But, he is not (never claimed to be) an expert on maritime matters or boat issues. When he wanted to go in for the boats he was advised by a team of some of the best experts in that area. This included the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration. It was based on their ‘expert’ advice that Edmund Koroma finally sanctioned the purchase of the ferries. Also, he was even mandated by the NASSIT Board Trustee to purchase the ferries. Edmund Koroma has manifested to be working in the interest of the public. Enormous investments were undertaken by that institution when Edmund Koroma was Director-General. Go to Kenema, Bo, Makeni and Goderich and see the investments.
Interestingly, the Commission was also interested in looking at the purchase of the then American Embassy Building by NASSIT. In this regard, in a letter dated 17th November 2008, signed by A.H.Kandeh the CEO of the National Public Procurement Authority and addressed to the Director of the Systems and Processes Review of the ACC, it was stated that the purchase of the building by NASSIT were ‘found to be in full compliance with the procurement rules and procedures…’  The NPPA also admitted that the intensions of NASSIT were good. (See published document).
It should be stated that it was not only Edmund Koroma and those currently being investigated by the ACC were involved in the purchase of the ferries. On the 10th of July 2008, the NASSIT Board’s decision on the purchase of sea vessels were communicated to NASSIT Management and the internal Memo was signed by no less a person that the Legal Affairs Director, Sengu Koroma who is also the  Board Secretary.
Recently, as part of their investigation of the procurement of the ferries, the ACC hired an ex-ship captain as the ‘independent expert’ to look at the values of the two ferries bought by NASSIT. This, according to highly placed sources is nothing more than  an orchestration by some ACC insiders, and powerful political outsiders to bring down Edmund Koroma. Edmund Koroma is the current Financial Secretary of the Government of Sierra Leone. He also served as Director-General of NASSIT at the time when the two ferries were negotiated for.
See documentary evidence and find out whether the Management of NASSIT was not involved in the purchase of the ferries. Also see whether it was not the Board that authorized NASSIT to purchase the ferries. It is still my view that President Koroma should look into how the ACC is running its affairs, especially when viewed from the perspective of investigating alleged wrong doers.  Mr President, your Financial Secretary is being victimized. I am saying this because, from that investigative report done by the ACC, it was claimed that some certain people were never involved in the purchase of the ferries, but come on, on the 10th July 2008, a Board excerpt on the Proposal for the investment in riverian transportation and infrastructure in Freetown was sent to the Deputy Director General of Administration and the Head of Investment and Projects. So in essence, were they not fully involved Sir? In fact, in that document written by the Board Secretary, it was clearly stated that “…the proposed investment is in harmony with public policy and interest; and has financial viability potentials…â€
And this is more the reason why President Koroma should come in. He should not sit by, allow the ACC, which has today become a ‘God’ unto itself to be destroying people just like that. Edmund Koroma may not be a perfect man but he should not be crucified for working in the interest of the State.
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