ACC establishes chiefdom network committees in Jaiama Bongor and Tikonko chiefdoms
The Anti-Corruption Commission Southern Regional Office has set up Chiefdom Network Committees in the Jaiama Bongor and Tikonko Chiefdoms on the 20th and 24th June 2014 respectively. The setting up of the committees is part of a wider drive by the regional office to enhance community ownership and participation in the fight against corruption in the country. The objective of the initiative is to empower the chiefdom people to take appropriate actions to counter corruption related conducts and practices in their communities. The two meetings which were held separately in the Court barrys of the two chiefdoms were attended by over two hundred (200) people including the Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, other tribal authorities and inhabitants of the two chiefdoms.
The representative of Paramount Chief of Jaiama Bongo Chiefdom, Chief Mohamed Kijan of Koribondo Town in his address to participants, expressed the chiefdom authorities’ willingness to support the initiative and other development programs in the District. He cautioned all present not to undermine or hamper government developmental drives. He mentioned that, his administration for a long period had been looking for ways to collaborate with the ACC. He emphasized that the chiefdom people are more than willing to work with the ACC in the fight against corruption and promised to support the Commission’s work in the chiefdom.
In the other engagement in Tikonko chiefdom on the 24th June 2014, the Paramount Chief of Tinkoko P.C. Joe Kangbai Makavoray III said that the issue of corruption is a global concern and as a result there is a worldwide concerted effort to tackle the menace. He urged his subjects to approach the issue of corruption with open mind and be treated with utmost seriousness, as it is one of the major reasons for our nation’s underdevelopment. “You should be watchful and speak up on issues of corruption in this community”, he implored his subjects.
The District Coordinator Bo District Mr. Anthony Samu highlighted the reasons for the meeting and called on the people to join the fight against corruption in their respective chiefdoms.
The Senior Public Education Officer Wilfred Bangura explained to the participants of the two meetings what is corruption and its effects on the Country. He assured the communities of the unflinching commitment of the Commission to work with the people in the fight against corruption in the country.
The Regional Manager of the ACC, Mr. Samuel Marah, in his presentations explained the rationale for establishing the committees, stating that chiefdoms remain paramount in the day to day governance and lives of local people and therefore it is very important to create mechanisms that will enable people in their respective chiefdoms to join the fight against corruption. Mr. Samuel Marah told the gathering that the ACC cannot succeed in the fight against corruption without public cooperation and support. He said, in no uncertain terms that corruption should not be allowed to flourish as it will wreck the progress of the communities. He attributed the rebel war and poor infrastructures in certain communities to corruption.
The Regional Manager revealed that the Commission intends to have structures or representations in all the chiefdoms of Sierra Leone to ensure that corruption is confronted at every level. The Commission will empower local people so that they will be able to actively engage in anti corruption activities. The Committees will complement the work of the ACC in areas such as sensitization, monitoring and information gathering.
Mr. Marah outlined the structure of the Commission headed by the Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Esq. who is responsible to conduct the affairs of the Commission and explained approaches employed by the Commission to fight corruption which includes sensitization to change the perception of the people against corruption, system review of institutions leading to the creation of Service Charters and investigation and prosecution which is widely acclaimed by many people.
He gave accounts of the recent convictions secured by the Commission and held that donors are now using the fight against corruption as a precondition for support. He therefore made a clarion call to all to join hands in the fight against corruption by rejecting, resisting and reporting corruption.
The Committee members were selected by the community people and comprises Chiefdom/Tribal authorities representative, civil society activist, educationist/teacher and representatives for the youths and women. In announcing the committee members, the Manager assured them that training would be provided to enable them operate effectively.
Reacting, various speakers expressed delight over the initiative which was described as laudable and commitments were made to support the ACC in fighting against corruption.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2014, https:. All rights reserved.
