ACC Sensitises the people of Makoth in Bombali District
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Friday 26th August, 2011 organized a one-day public education and sensitization campaign for residents of the Makoth village in the Bombali District. (Photo: Chief Pa Sorie Conteh-Headman Makoth welcoming the ACC Team )
In giving the purpose of the meeting and overview of the Commission, the Bombali District Coordinator, Mr. Raymond Kamara of the ACC, explained the various structures, departments and the three main approaches the Commission employs in the fight against corruption, which are; Public Education, Prevention and Confrontation.
Talking on the purpose of the meeting, Mr. Kamara said that, the meeting was to partner with the people of Makoth to join in the fight against corruption as it is everybody’s business to seeing that Sierra Leone becomes a paradise.
Raymond Kamara ACC District Coordinator Bombali giving the purpose of the meeting
The Commission considers Makoth as very important partners since they have so many to contribute in fighting this deadly pandemic that has destroyed the good image of the country. He added that partnership with the ACC will enhance improvement in their standard of living and prevent exploitation from contractors or NGOs who would like to undertake developmental activities in their locality.
Speaking to the Makoth community, he stressed that the Commission means business and ignorance of the law is no excuse and that corruption should be fought from all angle so that posterity will not hold our generation responsible for the underdevelopment of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Kamara highlighted some of the areas they should see as their responsibility for the development of the community and not to sit and say it is not my business.
He encouraged them to pay their taxes which will enable them ask relevant questions to Authorities, Donors, NGOs or any Individual/ Organisation that wants to address some of their felt needs, like build Markets, Court Barrie, Hand-pump wells etc in their environs.
ACC Manager North handing over promotional materials to Pa Sorie Conteh after the meeting
Unfolding some of the 27 offences as contained in the AC Act 2008, Offering, Soliciting and Accepting an Advantage, Corrupting a Public Officer, using Influence for Contract, Bid Rigging, Conflict of Interest, Misappropriation of Public Funds or Property, Misappropriation of Donor Funds or property, Gifts, impeding investment, misuse of the Free Health Drugs, illegal charges in schools, to name but a few, are of great concern to the Commission, says the Northern Regional Manager for ACC, Mr. Patrick Sandi. The community was admonished to desist from corruption and all corrupt practices that are against the mandate of the Commission and that will cause under development to the nation.
He further spoke on the various ways the public could report to the Commission. He said, some reports sent to the ACC are not corruption related but the Commission endeavors to respond appropriately to all reports received from the public because of the confidence the public has in the ACC.
He encouraged participants to report corruption and assured them of the Commission’s protection and confidentiality practice. He gave them the ACC free hotlines they could use to report corruption.
He mentioned the 10% reward informants stand to benefit from the proceeds of any corruption or corrupt practice reported to the Commission.
Questions and answers climaxed the meeting.
By ACC
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