ACC cautions metropolitan police officers and waste management team of Makeni City Council
In response to public concerns on corruption related practices, the Regional Manager of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) North, has cautioned officers of the Metropolitan Police and Waste Management Division of the Makeni City Council (MCC). (Photo: Patrick Sandi, Regional Manager North addressing Metropolitan Police Officers, Waste Management Team, and other members of the Council)
Speaking at a sensitization meeting at the Makeni City Hall on Tuesday 2nd August 2011, Patrick Sandi warned them to desist from corrupt practices and misuse of vehicles and government property. He emphasized that the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 clearly makes it an offence for anybody who fails to protect or misappropriate public property.
The Regional manager informed officers of the Metropolitan Police, Waste Management Division and representatives of other departments of MCC that the Commission has the mandate to investigate all forms of corruption and corrupt practices. He highlighted some of the offences in the 2008 Act and disclosed that the punishment for any of the offences is a fine of not less than thirty (30) million Leones or imprisonment for not less than three (3) years or both fine and prison term.
Explaining the rationale for the meeting, the District Coordinator, Bombali Mr. Raymond Alieu Kamara said it was meant to encourage them to change their corrupt attitude and solicit their support in the fight against corruption. He stressed that the fight against corruption is a fight for all and should not just be left in the hands of the Commission alone. Mr. Kamara made it clear to them that the Commission is not just there to arrest and convict corrupt individuals but also sensitizing the public on the dangers of corruption. The District Coordinator therefore entreated all present to change their corrupt behavior, opinion, attitude and thinking for the betterment of the country.
Giving an overview of the Commission, Public Education Officer, Al-Hassan Sesay explained the three approaches used by the Commission in the fight against corruption which are public education, prevention and confrontation.
Explaining the various methods of making reports to the Commission and protection of informers, Public Education Officer, Fatmata Finda Bockarie told members of the Metropolitan Police and Waste Management Division that it is the civic responsibility of every Sierra Leonean to report any act of corruption. She emphasized the Commission’s core values of confidentiality and fullest protection for informants. Ms. Bockarie explained the benefits of making report and the 10% reward to informers. She noted that if the fight against corruption is to succeed, they must be ready to resist, reject and report corruption.
The Public Education Officer read the free mobile hotlines and urged staff of the Metropolitan Police and Waste Management Division to report any act of corruption to the Commission but warned them against making false report which she not, is an offence.
Questions, answers, comments and concerns formed part of the meeting.
ACC Makeni
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