ACC sensitizes police officers, traffic wardens, drivers, and bike riders
In its determination to address the numerous reports of corrupt practices in the traffic sector in the northern region, the Anti-Corruption Commission has on Monday 29th November 2010 held a sensitization meeting with Police Officers, Drivers, Traffic Wardens and Bike Riders at the Northern Polytechnic Auditorium in Makeni.
Explaining the rationale for the meeting, Public Education Officer, Mr. Al-Hassan Sesay said it is to ensure that they realize how corrupt practices in their operations can negatively affect the transport sector and impact on national development.
He said coalition building and partnership being pivotal to the work of the Commission, engagement of these groups will help to address key corruption issues and identify areas of collaboration with ACC in the fight against corruption. Mr. Sesay explained the three approaches used by the Commission in the fight against corruption which are public education, prevention and prosecution.
He told the audience that the ACC is not just there to arrest and convict corrupt individuals, but also to sensitize the public on the dangers of corruption and benefits of a corrupt free Sierra Leone. He called on all drivers, police officers, Traffic Wardens and bike riders to change their corrupt behavior, opinion, attitude and thinking for the betterment of the country.
Highlighting some of the key corrupt practices in the traffic sector, the Acting Regional Manager of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) North, Mr. Musa Jawara lamented that corruption is pervasive in the transport sector with its attendant impact on the lives and properties of individuals and the state. He mentioned rampant disregard for traffic rules, increase in unlicensed motorbikes in Makeni and bribery of police officers and traffic wardens. Mr. Jawara emphasized the importance of the traffic sector in the development of Sierra Leone and warned all those involved in corrupt practices to desist or face the full strength of the Commission.
Explaining the offences and penalties as contained in the Ant-Corruption Act 2008, Legal Officer, Mr. Alhassan Kargbo said it is an offence for anybody who offers an advantage to a Public Officer or any member of a Public Body in order to influence him/her. He explained all the twenty seven offences in the act and reminded all present that the 2008 Act is not just for government employees but also covers the private sector. Mr. Kargbo stressed that the Commission has the mandate to investigate all forms of corruption, no matter the amount of money or individual involved in it. He said the punishment for most of the offences is a fine of not less than thirty (30) million Leones or imprisoned for not less than three (3) years or suffers both fine and prison term.
In his statement, the Local Unit Commander, Makeni Division, Mr. David Sahid Koroma noted that if there are no checks and balances, things will not go on well in the traffic sector. He said it is not just the ACC that should fight corruption, but everybody must join hands and partner with the Commission. He said if corruption is to be wiped out in the traffic sector, the police have a duty to perform. The LUC pledged to organize meetings with drivers and bike riders to map out the way forward. LUC Koroma admitted that there are bad eggs in the police but he is ready to weed them out.
A representative of the Traffic Wardens Mr. Sahr Ngegba explained their mandate and operations and assured that all the issues raised pertaining to the Wardens would be addressed.
Regional Chairman of Drivers Union Mr. Umar Kamara said vehicle owners and passengers are also contributing to corruption in the traffic sector. He said Drivers Union is ready to resist and reject corruption. Mr. Kamara assured that they will abide by the warning and continue to partner with the Anti-Corruption Commission to wipe out corruption in Sierra Leone.
Chairman of Bike Riders Association, Makeni Mr. Osman Conteh highlighted some of their constraints including delay in securing license for their motorbikes. He urged the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority to decentralize the license process. Mr. Conteh promised to ensure that Bike Riders abide by traffic rules and report any act of corruption to the ACC.
ACC, Freetown
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