Speaking to the report, the Public Education Officer Sylvanus M. Blake revealed that Kenema District recorded the highest number of reports which will be attributed to the robust public sensitization drive by the ACC, through radio, customized and the community outreach meetings. He urged all Heads present to take the reports in good faith as the data represent the public experiences with the sectors when accessing basic social services. He informed listeners that when the Sierra Leone Police recorded the highest number of reports in the district and nationwide, it triggered the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Alfred Karrow Kamara to summon an emergency meeting on 28th December 2016 with his officers to immediately respond to the various concerns raised in the reports. It was resolved in that meeting that all ungazetted/illegal checkpoints be removed immediately, and robust monitoring of checkpoints and sensitizations, which has resulted into not only the reduction in the number of checkpoints, but incidences of bribery in the district.
Elaborating on the how the reports will be treated, the Public Education Officer Sam P. Gogra spoke on the establishment of Integrity Management Committees (IMCs) in MDAs including the five pilot. Gogra furthered that the IMCs now have an additional responsibility of addressing issues in the reports as they relate to their institutions. Gogra emphasized the holding of regular meetings by IMCs to help internally address integrity issues in the MDAs. The IMCs Gogra continued should also ensure that their agencies produce and publish service charters for the benefit of the general public.
Earlier, in his welcome statement, Regional Manager Keifala Koi expressed gratitude and appreciation to the participants for the appreciative turn out at the meeting and said that the Commission requires more support and collaboration with partners if the fight is to be won. He stated that corrupt individuals accrue a lot of proceeds illegally and so would want to make the campaign very difficult hence ACC alone cannot win the fight.
Mr. Koi said, corruption is linked with integrity as lack of integrity breeds corruption, making public officers prone.
Questions and answers session formed part of the meeting.
