ADDAX Bioenergy embraces ACC in fight against corruption
In demonstrating its relentless efforts to eradicate corruption in the operations of the private sector, the Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday March 6th 2012, held a customized meeting with Heads of Units of ADDAX Bioenergy, Sierra Leone, in their office conference room at 56 Magburaka Highway Makambo, Makeni. (Photo: Manager ACC North Patrick Sandi presenting ACC educational materials to Addax boss John Moult)
The General Manager ADDAX Bioenergy, John Moult who chaired the meeting expressed great delight for meeting with the ACC as they had yearned for this opportunity. He welcomed the Commission to his institution and assured all that ADDAX will at all times cooperate with the ACC in order that Sierra Leone develops. Mr. Moult maintained that he is coming from a country where corporate governance is paramount and therefore believes that such phenomenon should obtain in Sierra Leone.
General Manager Addax Bioenergy John Moult welcoming the ACC to Addax
ADDAX General Manager furthered that they have practices and procedures in force to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in all what they do. He emphasized that they have paid all their land lease and also have no problems with the payment of crop compensation to deserved beneficiaries. However, the General Manager informed the ACC of some challenges they were facing with some individuals especially for their consultant staff. He reassured the ACC of their commitment to obeying the Laws of Sierra Leone.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, the Public Education Officer North, Al-Hassan Sesay noted that the ACC was at ADDAX Bioenergy to educate the staff on the dangers of corruption, the operations of the Commission and solicit their support in the fight against the menace. He underscored the point that corruption has contributed significantly to putting Sierra Leone where it is today; in the state of poverty and donor dependence. He therefore urged the Management of ADDAX to see that the country benefits positively from their operations.
The Public Education Officer dilated on the three methods used by the Commission to fight corruption, which are, education, prevention and enforcement, noting also the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS); which is the collective approach to the fight involving key stakeholders- ‘Pillars of Integrity,’ the media and civil society. Concluding, Mr. Sesay mentioned the three (3) ‘R’ weapon used to fight corruption and encouraged the staff of ADDAX to note them- Resist, Reject and Report corruption.
Cross section of the audience - Addax staff
The Regional Manager North, Patrick Sandi emphasized on the need for ACC to collaborate with ADDAX in order to develop Sierra Leone. He extended greetings from the head of ACC, Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara and the entire management of the ACC and assured ADDAX staff that the Commission has the capacity to combat corruption in Sierra Leone, but needed the support of others, such as ADDAX Bioenergy.
Mr. Sandi told his audience that the AC Act 2008 has twenty seven (27) corrupt offences, and they are all-embracing. He commented on few such as, impeding investment, offering advantage, misappropriation of public/donor funds and property, abuse of office and position, using influence for contracts, soliciting and accepting advantage. The Regional Manager stressed that these offences are very pertinent to ADDAX for their operations especially in circumstances they interface with the public sector.
Mr. Sandi highlighted some of the successes the Commission has scored, particularly with the enactment of the 2008 Act. He noted that the number of indictments and convictions by the ACC in the past two years has quadrupled and the individuals involved most times are high profiled.
Manager Sandi also mentioned that the Commission has paid billions of Leones to the country’s consolidated fund as recovery of stolen money from corrupt offenders. He emphasized that the ACC is an independent institution with no interference whatsoever. As such, it was but fitting that the staff of ADDAX support the ACC to make Sierra Leone a paradise. The Manager concluded by reading out the ACC hotlines which anybody would use to reach the ACC free of cost.
In his contribution, the HSSE Manager, Derek Higgo expressed satisfaction for the meeting and said he was overwhelmed to see staff of an anti-graft agency visiting and educating people on corruption and its bad impact on society. Manager Higgo furthered that for the forty (40) years he has worked in Africa, he has never witnessed such. Against that background, he commended the ACC for such a very brilliant step in their fight against corruption in the country.
The presentation of ACC educational materials to the General Manager ADDAX John Moult by the ACC Regional Manager, Patrick Sandi climaxed the meeting.
ACC Makeni
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