Corruption is rife at Gbalamuya-Pamelap joint border post
Kambia, December 11 (SLENA) – This border post can be found in the Kambia district and in Gbalamuya Town along the Republics of Sierra Leone and Guinea. It was constructed with funds from the European Union in order to facilitate and promote trade, free movement of people and goods including security in line with the Mano River Union integration policy.
According to our findings, the Post is expected to accommodate several Sectoral offices including Customs, Immigration. Health, Foreign Exchange, Security Equipment, Banks and Phytosanitary,etc.
The Post was officially commissioned by the Presidents of Sierra Leone and Guinea on 2nd June 2012 at a well attended ceremony. The Mano River Union Secretariat was subsequently mandated at a Summit of Heads of State and Governments held in Monrovia in April 2013 to play a leading role in the equipment, harmonisation of systems, procedures and the training of personnel in order to commence effective operations at the Post.
But the apparent incapability of this Secretariat to measure up to the set standards was demonstrated when it conducted a two-day workshop on the Operation of the Post held at the Kambia District Council Hall from 21st to 22nd of August 2013. Most Stakeholders including the Paramount Chief of Magbema were unable to avail their presence because they were informed barely few hours to the start of the workshop. It was much more baffling when the organisers only limited the press coverage of what was supposed to an international concern, to the Kolenten Community Radio even though a huge sum of money was said to have been factored for a press coverage.
As at now the Post is only being occupied by the Sierra Leonean wing of personnel while the Guinean counterparts are yet to show up. Therefore the desired goal is not only farfetched, but that the prevailing situation is as confusing as ever before. Sources say one certainly does not need to visit the Post for one to know that travellers are under regular harassment. In fact, most traders have reverted to the risky option of travelling by sea than going through those one traveller described as ‘heartless’ officers at the Post.
A traveller who spoke to SLENA on condition of anonymity said there is a kind of duplication of functions on the side of the Sierra Leone police personnel deployed as there are about three to four separate police offices that obtain the same pieces of information such as Name, Address, Destination, and Purpose of visit to every other passerby.
This is largely perceived to be a pattern of extortion. Our source revealed.
Perhaps the most unbearable form of extortion can be seen at the National Revenue Authority where the newly transferred Collector is perceived to be unnecessarily wicked. Sources say her punitive method of collecting revenue has compelled most traders to now travel by sea.
Although it is a legal mandate for revenues to be collected for the development of the country, there is an equal need for the Authorities to ascertain the level of transparency in such Collections more so when the ASYCUDA Post which is responsible for the proper assessment of goods has never become operational. Its machine is fast becoming battered for want of effective use while the ASYCUDA building has become the parking lot for commercial and private motor bikes, our source confirms.
HB/Kam/SLENA
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