ACC, NASSIT strengthen partnership in the north
As a wake up call in the fight against corruption, the Northern Regional Office of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has demonstrated its commitment in strengthening partnership with the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) in the Northern Region.
This was manifested at the hosting of a sensitization meeting organised by ACC Northern Region office on Tuesday 20th March 2012 in Makeni. In his statement, the Acting Regional Manager of NASSIT, Mr. Francis A. Sankoh-Hughes pledged his institution’s commitment in strengthening partnership with the Commission in the fight against corruption in the region. He admitted that such face to face dialogue is very important as constant guidance and monitoring is vital to the operations of their institution. Mr. Sankoh-Hughes expressed appreciation to ACC staff for bringing the Commission closer to them, which he noted will go a long way in changing negative public perceptions.
Explaining the rationale for the meeting, ACC’s District Coordinator for Bombali, Raymond Alieu Kamara said it was meant to enhance collaboration and partnership between both institutions in the Northern Region. The District Coordinator furthered that the fight against corruption is a national concern and that ACC alone cannot fight corruption in the country. He re-emphasised the Commission’s core value of coalition building and partnership and therefore entreated NASSIT as an institution to partner with the Commission in achieving their respective mandates.
Giving an overview of the Commission, Public Education Officer, Al-Hassan Sesay emphasized that the ACC is not a witch hunt institution but leading the fight against corruption through public education, prevention, enforcement and compliance for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans. He noted that the engagement was part of the Commission’s public education and preventive approach in the fight against corruption.
Emphasizing on the need for collaboration the Public Education Officer said ACC alone cannot succeed in achieving its vision without public support. He further explained the public education, prevention and confrontational approaches used by the Commission in the fight against corruption in the country.
Explaining the offences and penalties as enshrined in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, ACC’s Regional Manager, North, Patrick Sandi used the occasion to extend thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Commissioner and Commission to NASSIT for their determination to support the work of the Commission. “As a Commission, we are not just focusing on indictment, but also massive sensitization on anti-corruption measures and garner public support in eradicating corruption in the country”, Manager Sandi maintained.
Manager Sandi in very strong terms warned staff of NASSIT to be mindful of the fact that in as much as the ACC educates and prevents, it also punishes corrupt individuals. He explained some of the offences in the 2008 Act that have bearing with staff of NASSIT as Public Officers like misappropriation of donor or public funds or property, soliciting and accepting advantage, abuse of office or position, conflict of interest, influencing a public officer, possession of unexplained wealth, protection of public revenue and property and receiving gifts for corrupt purposes. Mr. Sandi emphasised that the punishment for any of the offences is a fine of not less than thirty (30) million Leones or imprisonment for a term not less than three (3) years or both fine and prison term.
The Regional Manager of ACC further explained the various methods of making reports to the Commission and protection of informers. He further emphasized the Commission’s core value of confidentiality and professionalism and stressed that if the fight against corruption is to succeed, they must be ready to report corruption. Manager Sandi explained the 10% reward and read out the Commission’s free mobile hotlines.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Lydia Lisa Crowther on behalf of NASSIT staff assured ACC that they will put into practice all what they have heard and abide by ACC laws.
The meeting was climaxed with questions and answers session.
ACC North
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