ACC Raises Awareness On Citizens Service Charters In Bumbuna And Kabala
In its drive to spread anti-corruption messages to rural communities, the Northern Regional office of the Anti-Corruption Commission has on Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th June 2013 raised awareness on the contents of the Service Charters for the Makeni Regional Hospital, Immigration Department and Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority (SLRTA) in Bumbuna and Kabala. (Photo: A member of the Bumbuna community Md. Theresa Jalloh making a contribution at the popularization meeting)
Explaining the rationale for the sensitization drive on the service charters at the Bumbuna Court Barry, ACC’s District Coordinator for Tonkolili, Abdulai Saccoh said it was meant to increase public knowledge and understanding on its content and garner support towards the fight against corruption. He told the people of Bumbuna that the engagement was an educational approach used by the Commission to enhance public confidence in reporting corrupt practices to the Commission and also identify areas of collaboration and partnership in the fight against corruption in their communities. Mr. Saccoh noted that with education on corruption, they can be in a better position to resist and reject corrupt practices.
Speaking at the Kabala Community Centre, ACC’s District Coordinator Koinadugu Augustine Foday Ngobie said raising awareness on the service charters would enlighten the public about service delivery at government institutions and the interventions of the Commission. He noted that the anti-corruption law is not just for those in the public sector and therefore as Sierra Leoneans it is their responsibility to support the fight against corruption.
Explaining the contents of the Service Charters at the respective meetings, ACC’s Regional Manager North, Patrick Sandi said it was one of the preventive methods used by the Commission in the fight against corruption. He emphasized the determination of ACC in working towards enhancing transparency in government ministries, departments and agencies and to discourage opportunities for corruption. Manager Sandi said the development of the service charters was a means to empower members of the public in their relationship with service providers. He explained that ACC developed the Service Charters in a bid to clearly explain to the public the services offered by the institution in question, their respective cost and the duration to get the services. “What ACC is trying to achieve in this country is to see that the lives of citizens are improved. People have suffered for so long because of corruption. ACC wants to ensure that people are aware of their rights and can stand for it” he emphasized.
The Regional Manager further told the people of Bumbuna and Kabala that the development of Service Charter was a means to discourage extortion and unnecessary delay of patients at the hospital. Manager Sandi explained the contents of the service charters and called on members of the respective chiefdoms to report any public officer who makes demands beyond the prescribed charges in the Charter. He emphasized that the responsibility lies on the head of the institution to ensure that the provisions in the charter are adhered to. Mr. Sandi used the occasion to appeal to civil society members and the public to support the ACC. “Support the ACC during times of challenges. The fight is not an easy one. As we fight corruption, corruption fights back. But with sincerity, determination and active collaboration, we will succeed” he maintained.
Senior Public Education Officer Al-Hassan Sesay explained the various methods of reporting to the Commission and protection of informants. He reminded the people of Bumbuna and Kabala of their civic responsibility to report corrupt practices to the ACC. Mr. Sesay explained the importance of reporting corruption and entreated them take active participation in the fight.
Making his input, Paramount Chief of Kalansogoia Chiefdom P.C Alimamy Bockarie Yallan Koroma who chaired the meeting at the Bumbuna Court Barry, heaped praises on ACC for taking the fight to their door steps. He emphasized the importance of such meeting which he noted was geared towards enhancing service delivery for them. The Paramount Chief told his people that they are the people who bear the negative effects of corruption most that was why they should be closer to the ACC. “If we don’t know or understand the dynamics of corruption, it will be difficult for us to make positive input in the fight against corruption. Without our support and involvement, ACC cannot succeed” he said.
At the Kabala Community Centre, Chairman of the meeting, Assistant District Officer, Mr. Agina Mansaray appreciated ACC for enlightening them on the contents of the Service Charters for the different institutions. He admitted that before now, they had little knowledge on the contents of Service Charters and thanked ACC for opening their eyes to the real costs. Mr. Mansaray said the sensitization drive by the ACC will go a long way to enhancing quality and effective service delivery.
Questions, comments, suggestions and answers formed part of the respective meetings.
ACC Makeni
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