ACC sensitizes Bo/Kenema Power Services (BKPS) in Kenema
The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday 14th July 2011 continued their sensitization exercise by engaging workers of the Bo/Kenema Power Services (BKPS) office in Kenema. (Photo: Staff of BKPS in Kenema)
The meeting which was chaired by Madam Francess M. Kpaka, Senior Personnel Clerk of the Bo-Kenema Power Services in Kenema attracted over forty one workers. In her opening and welcome statement Francess Kpaka said that people had different notions about the ACC and that their presence at the BKPS will provide all the opportunity to get a clear understanding about corruption and the operations of the Commission and called on all to be attentive so that all will benefit from the sensitization.
PEO David K Conteh
Establishing the purpose for such engagement with BKPS, Mr. David Kanekey Conteh Regional Public Education Officer of the ACC intimated his audience that the BKPS is an essential service provider, whose service is strategic to the development of this region. He said that the ACC seeks partnership with BKPS for national development adding that the vision of the ACC is to make Sierra Leone a corrupt free country where the socio-economic needs of its citizens are met. This he said could not be achieved by the ACC alone, but by every Sierra Leonean. He said the ACC was at the BKPS not because they were corrupt but because public officers need to be educated on corruption and the operations of the ACC so that they will see the need to join the commission to fight against corruption by becoming the “eye” of the Commission.
BKPS workers
Giving the overview of the Commission, the Kenema District Coordinator Mr. Mohamed Sylvanus Blake said that at times, people castigate the ACC, because of the opinions or notions they harbour about the ACC and its operations. He categorized the operations of the Commission in to two; Prevention and Confrontation. The Public education and external outreach and the systems and processes review departments to Prevent corruption by educating the public on the bad effects of corruption and the corresponding benefits of a corrupt free society and the examination of existing systems and structures which make room for corrupt practices to thrive and to recommend preventive measures. Mohamed Blake mentioned that the Commission has carried out reviews on the Ministries of Health, Education Agriculture and Local Government, the Immigrations Department to name a few. The Intelligence, Investigation and Prosecution come in as the very last resort; to confront public officers who fail to heed the call and take personal interest above national interest. He said that this has led to the prosecution and conviction of both high and low profile public servants.
Acting Regional Manager, Kenema, Mr. Peter Baio Kamara
Speaking on the offences, the Acting Regional Manager, Kenema, Mr. Peter Baio Kamara dilated on the limitations in the 2000 Act as having only nine corrupt practices, while the 2008 AC Act contains twenty seven. He listed several corrupt practices that are punishable under the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 and called on workers of the BKPS to work within the ambit of the law, as it is quite dangerous for someone to circumvent the law. Mr. Kamara further said the penalties in the 2000 AC act were such that many public officers treated the ACC with levity. But the 2008 Act made the penalties very stiff, with a fine not less than thirty million Leones or three years imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment depending on the opinion of the judge. The 2008 Act however makes provision for recoveries of monies misappropriated by public officers which are paid back into the consolidated fund. On such case was when the Commissioner of the Anti- Corruption Commission Mr. Joseph F. Kamara Esq. on the 13th May 2011 handed over a cheque of Le 611,141,000 and $9450 to His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. He explained some of the offences in the AC Act 2008 and the procedure for reporting corruption and how the report centre handles and processes complaints and reports from the public. He called on all to support the Commission for the good of the nation.
Workers of the BKPS in Kenema
Responding, the Technical Director of BKPS, Mr. Munda M Lewis, appreciated the ACC for putting them on their gird, as they have been educated about corruption, which will help them perform their duties more effectively as public officers. He said that was the most educative session he has ever had from the ACC especially the area of the offences. He noted that he had been reading both the AC Acts of 2000 and 2008 but the simple manner in which the offences were explained really opened his eyes to what these offences really mean. He alluded to the fact that the ordinary masses must not continue to suffer in silence but should be always ready to speak out against corruption, as it is the best service one can offer the nation. He also said that corruption is not only found among senior officers but there are junior personnel that have more access to state resources more than those at management level. He therefore advised every public officer to work carefully within the law so that they do not fall foul of the AC Act 2008. He however appealed to the ACC to make available the AC Act and other ACC materials to public officers to serve as reminder.
Questions and answers formed part of the programme.
ACC, Kenema
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