Launching the Report, the ACC Commissioner, Ady Macauley said the Systems Review Report on the Immigration Department would improve service delivery and address the challenges in the Department. The ACC boss noted that the launching of the report is timely and appropriate as globally issues of money laundering, drugs and child trafficking hinge on Immigration Departments. He commended the Chief Immigration Officer for his Institution’s support over the years in assisting the Commission with vital information and cited section 8 sub-section 4 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 which states that the head of a public body who fails to comply with instructions of the Commission, commits an offence and sub-section 5 of section 8 which states that the head of a public body shall be subject to disciplinary measures including dismissal or removal from office by the appropriate authority notwithstanding the provisions of his letter of appointment or any enactment to the contrary. The ACC Commissioner urged the Immigration Department to take the recommendations in good faith and act upon them accordingly.
Delivering his statement, the Chief Immigration Officer Alpha Kholifa Koroma, thanked the ACC for the Report. He said, the Immigration Department, started engagements with the ACC in 2010 through the introduction and adoption of Service Charters. He registered appreciation to the Commission for the praises heaped on his institution in providing unfettered access during the review process. He revealed that since he assumed office, Immigration has been transformed and the Department goes out to provide efficient services.
Presenting the Systems Review Report, Deputy Director Rashid Turay, highlighted key findings in the areas of Internal Audit, Financial Management, Procurement and Records Management, Passport Production, Landing Visa Process, Gratis and Waivers and Naturalization. Among the recommendations proffered are; that the Audit Committee must be seen to be functional and effective, the variance of three hundred million leones should be examined, that all goods be verified by the Internal Auditor before payments are made. Significant also among the findings is that, revenue collection is in the hands of different officers.
Statements were also made by the Deputy Commissioner ACC, Shollay Davies who served as chair of the occasion, the Director of Systems and Processes Review Department, Maurice Williams and the Solicitor General, Marina Koroma who represented the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
From: The ACC Public Education and Outreach Department
