Manager Kamara provided update on key positive actions/measures Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been taken to address bribery incidences in the PNB sectors, based on reports received on the platform.
He noted that, PNB enables Heads of institutions to map out strategies aimed at dealing with bribery and petty corruption in the targeted sectors for improved service delivery. The Manager implored them to remain committed to the campaign as their role is critical in the making of reports and, disseminating concrete actions taken by MDAs that bring about behavior change.
Explaining the purpose of the engagement, ACC Public Education Officer, Abdul K. Bangura said, it was intended to increase public knowledge on the PNB campaign, the negative effects of bribery on the rural poor, and to solicit their support to the campaign. Bangura informed his audience that the PNB targets the Ministries of Education, Health, the Sierra Leone Police, GUMA/SALWACO, EDSA and the Judiciary with the aim to improve service delivery in these sectors.
The Public Educator added that, with the PNB 515 free phone line on all networks, the mobile application in Krio, Temne and Mende, and the website: www.pnb.gov.sl citizens will make reports anonymously and actions will be taken by MDAs through the Integrity Management Committees (IMCs) to resolve the bribery problems.
In his submission, ACC Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh said, though many citizens see the act of offering and receiving bribe as a norm, such practice has eroded the values upon which a decent society should thrive. Saccoh drew the attention of the public to the number of bribery reported issues. The Public Education Officer noted that the damaging effects of bribery may be slow to notice, but it has devastating consequences. He called for public support to the PNB campaign as service delivery is seriously undermined due to widespread bribery. Saccoh registered the Commission’s resolve to work with other MDAs for improvement in the quality of services rendered to the public.
The Coordinator Animator, MADAM Sierra Leone, Edward Conteh said, as civil society organization (CSO) they have committed themselves to take PNB messages to the door steps of rural people and make reporting bribery easy for all. Conteh furthered that their role as CSO on the PNB is primarily community mobilization and awareness raising.
Earlier in the meeting, Paramount Chiefdom Alhaji Baiyankay II of Libeisaygahun Chiefdom heaped praises on the ACC for reaching out to communities in his chiefdom. PC Baiyankay assured the Commission of their unflinching support to the PNB campaign and encouraged his people to make effective use of the PNB reporting portal.
Questions and answers session, spiced with the handing over of PNB-IEC materials to the Paramount Chief formed part of the engagement.
