ACC Commissioner ends three day working visit to the regions

The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara and team from ACC Headquarters completed a three day regional tour to Makeni, Bo and Kenema respectively on Friday 13^th March 2015. (Photo: The Commissioner addresses medical staff and civil society members at the daily briefing of the Bo District Ebola Emergency Response Centre)

The purpose of the visit was to hand over impounded food items worth about one hundred million Leones intercepted by the Northern Region ACC office and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and also to strengthen the relationship between ACC Headquarters and its regional offices.

Addressing ACC staff members in the various regional offices, Commissioner expressed delight in their work. He congratulated them for the role they continue to play to ensure accountability and transparency in the dispensation of Ebola reliefs. He informed them that management is studying the recommendations made in the ACC Advisory Board Report and they are putting strategies in place to address the recommendations, especially the issue of communication gap between ACC Headquarters and the regional offices. Commissioner Kamara called on staff to promote and disseminate the issues in the National Anti Corruption Strategy 2014-2018 in their respective regions as it is the road-map in fighting corruption. He noted that the asset declaration regime should not be taken for granted as they are strong tools in the fight against corruption. He added that they will soon commence verification of all asset declaration forms. He called on them to work with the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) Social Safety Net Project. Concluding, Mr. Kamara encouraged them to work hard and demonstrate high level commitment in the fight against corruption.

The Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Prosecution (IIP), Reginald Fynn praised members of his Department for the level of professionalism demonstrated in their work. Mr. Fynn informed them to do what is right without fear or favour as the Commission has seen more interventions and great successes over the years. He encouraged them to be vigilant to ensure all loopholes are tightened, especially with Ebola funds.

In another engagement, the Commissioner and his team paid a courtesy call to the Resident Minister South and the Assistant Inspector General of Police Southern Region, Mustapha Kamara and senior officers of SLP.

Addressing key stakeholder at the Southern District Emergency Response Centre in Bo, the Commissioner expressed his appreciation for the good work they have been doing to contain the Ebola virus. He called on members from local and International Non-Governmental Organisations to be transparent in the management of resources. Commissioner Kamara stressed that emergency period does not mean that accountability procedures are suspended. He further highlighted that there should always be transparency in handling funds meant for the people of Sierra Leone.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!