ACC enlists drivers union in the fight against corruption

In a bid to broaden its partnership horizon, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Northern Regional Office has on Tuesday 20th August, 2013 appealed to drivers union Tonkolili District to join the fight against corruption for a better Sierra Leone.

Addressing the membership in a customized meeting held at the Union’s office in Magburaka, the Regional Manager ACC North, Mr. Patrick Sandi opined that drivers were very critical to the fight and must stop giving out bribes to public officers. Mr. Sandi informed the Union that it was imperative on its members to possess authentic documents that will enable them drive licensed and insured vehicles as those who fall foul of the law will be dealt with accordingly.

Manager Sandi maintained that drivers must pay fines levied on them by the Magistrate Courts to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) staff authorized to perform that function, and they should be issued genuine receipts for the purposes of transparency and accountability.

“The development of this country is in our hands, and corruption is an obstacle to this endeavor. But the Union has the responsibility to see that Government resources are protected” Mr. Sandi emphasized. The ACC boss North, outlined the corrupt practices that relate to their activities, such as; offering advantage; soliciting, accepting or obtaining advantage for public officer, deceiving a principal and conspiracy to commit a corruption offence.

He noted that the AC Act 2008 provides that, violation of any of the offences is a fine of not less than thirty million leones, or imprisonment for not less than three years or to both fine and imprisonment.

Speaking on the purpose of the sensitization, the ACC District Coordinator Tonkolili Mr. Abdulai Saccoh told the Union members that the engagement was to enlighten drivers on the negative consequences of graft and to foster their support in the fight. Mr. Saccoh underscored that corruption was stubborn to be defeated, but with concerted efforts particularly that of the Union, the ACC was optimistic about winning the fight. He encouraged the drivers to resist corruption demands and report all acts of corruption to the ACC as they will be fully protected.

Earlier in his welcome statement, the Chairman Drivers Union, Tonkolili Mr. Abdul Barba Thoronka expressed immense appreciation to the ACC for the move to educate his members as they had longed for such an opportunity. Mr. Thoronka commended the ACC for its resilience and urged them to remain focused. He advised his men to always be law abiding and to work with the ACC as it was established so that sanity will reign in both the private and public sectors.

In their contributions, executive members pleaded with the ACC to work with the SLRTA office in the North, so that the process of licensing their vehicles will not be protracted.

Questions and answers, climaxed the meeting.

ACC Makeni

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