ACC Commissioner with Team, Launches Citizens’ Service Delivery Charters in Kenema
The Commissioner of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Esq. and his team comprising of the Director of Public Education and Outreach Department, Mr. Sholay Davies, the Director of Systems and Processes Review Department Mr. Maurice Williams, the Head of Policy and Ethics Unit Mr. Adu Amara, have on the 19th October 2012, during a ground breaking event launched and popularized Citizens’ Service Delivery Charter both for the Bo/Kenema Power Services (BKPS) and the Kenema Government Hospital in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone. (Photo: ACC Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara in his opening presentation)
The Regional Manager of the ACC East, Evelyn Samuela Walker in her statement thanked the management of both institutions and the ACC for their commitment and collaboration in ensuring that there is synergy and transparency in the delivery of essential services to the public as well as the mobilization and management of public revenues. She called on all to ensure the wide popularization and adequate utilization of the public interest policy documents.
The Director of Systems and Processes Review Department Mr. Maurice Williams, who Chaired the launching programmes, stated his satisfaction over the actualization of the service charters as it is in fulfillment of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the smooth and transparent delivery of much needed services to the public by public institutions. He stated that the commission was not only interested in investigating and prosecuting corrupt public officers, but puts much premium on the prevention of the crime itself. He said that the commission will work round the clock with other partners to ensure the adequate utilization of the service charters for the intended purposes, through public sensitization and monitoring.
The Director of Public Education and Outreach Department Mr. Sholay Davies, used the opportunity to encourage the institutions to ensure the strategic display of the service charters for the consumption of the public. He stated that the fight against corruption embraces an array of strategies and techniques, all aimed at reducing the potentials and opportunities for public officials to commit the offence. He stated that if well utilized, the service charter will help in monitoring the performance of the institutions in terms of service delivery as the public are duly informed of the services available, how to get them, when to get them and how much they cost.
The Commissioner in his statement, did refer to the service charter as a public friendly and accessible document, that indicates clearly all services a given institution offers, how much each service cost, the procedure(s) in accessing, the duration for such services(s) to be offered and even allows for complaints from the public in an event of lapses in the delivery of such services.
CSO member asking a question
Commissioner Kamara Esq.stated that the BKPS and Kenema Government Hospital, been among the important essential service delivery institutions in the East have enjoyed the partnership of the ACC in developing these public documents because, these documents promote transparency, accountability, certainty, clarity, equity and quality in the delivery of public services, adding that these are all embedded in the values of the ACC. He added that if well popularized and followed, the charters will among others reduce the gap between the clients and the service providers, eliminates the opportunities for corruption especially the demand and supply type corruption, maximize service devilry and ensures transparency and accountability.
Cross section of the audience at the launching
He encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to imbibe and exhibit integrity, by developing personal discipline that resists, rejects and reports corruption. He said public officers should ensure they are not in a position of “desperate need” which can most times be a recipe for disrespecting regulations. He admonished all to respect and operate within the policies and regulations as the ACC will not stop at anything in pursuing and bringing to book corrupt persons. The commissioner unveiled the two charters at strategic places in the premises of the two institutions.
Mr. James Rogers the Ag Chief Executive Officer of the BKPS and the Medical Superintendent of the Kenema Government Hospital Dr. S B Seiscey did pledge their commitment to the strict adherence and utilization of the service charters and the fight against graft on behalf of their institutions. They expressed appreciation to the ACC for collaborating and guiding them in developing these charters, which they stated will help enhance their operations. They promised to popularize the documents.
In a related development, the Commissioner at the Kenema District Council Hall, during the popularization and regular quarterly update of alliance partners in the East, did make public that the commission has for the first time filed in indictments against four public officers in the Eastern Region.
They are Josephine Happiness, Gladys Koroma, and Patrick Mohamed Tanga Principal and Finance Officer of the Holy Rosery Junior Secondary School in Kenema for misappropriation of public funds amounting to Le: 83, 821, 631, contrary to section 36 (1) of the Anti Corruption Act 2008, Sheik Ishmael Jabatti Massaquoi Education Secretary of the United Muslim Association Mission (UMA), Eastern Region, for misappropriation of funds contrary to section 36 (1) and Patrick Bobor, Head of the Peripheral Health Unit at Njagbema Village in Kono District for misappropriation of donor properties meant for Sierra Leoneans contrary to section 37 (2) of the Anti Corruption Act 2008.
All four are expected to be arraigned in the High court of Kenema on Thursday the 25th of October 2012. This was greeted with applause and appreciation from the public who have longed to see accused corrupt persons indicted and prosecuted in the Eastern Region
Mohamed Sylvanus Blake ACC District Coordinator KenemaStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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