Delivering his address, ACC Public Education Officer, Sahr Nabieu said, the Pay No Bribe (PNB) programme is funded with 4.7 million British pounds from the UK Government for financial aid and technical assistance, with Coffey International providing technical support to the ACC and GoSL in the implementation of the project. Nabieu stressed that, the PNB is an innovative reporting platform which empowers citizens to anonymously report incidents of bribery and petty corruption. Citizens will call 515 free on all networks, the PNB website; www.pnb.gov.sl or on mobile application in Krio, Temne and Mende to make their complaints, he added.
The Public Educator told the pupils and teachers of the relevance of the Pay No Bribe (PNB) campaign. He reiterated that the PNB, is piloted in 5 sectors; the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Water (GUMA Valley and SALWACO), Energy (EDSA), Education and Health and in the districts of; Western Area Rural, and Urban; Bombali, Bo and Kenema. After the pilot phase of the project, PNB will be expanded to operate nationwide, and may include additional sectors. Sahr Nabieu encouraged pupils and teachers to take ownership of the PNB campaign and maintain high standards in the education sector.
ACC’s Bassie O. Bangura, dilated on the negative effects of bribery and petty corruption in the schools; citing the misuse of school funds, exchange of grades for sexual favors and payments for assignments. He urged on pupils and teachers to call the PNB 515 free line, as well as, the 077-986986 or 077-985985 (Africell) free lines of the ACC report center. He implored his listeners to embrace the anti-bribery crusade. Mr. Bangura called on the teachers and schools authorities to exhibit integrity, serve as role models, and transform the future of the pupils.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Principal of Kono Model Academy (KMA) Tamba Foa Gbekie, said, he is amazed with the presence of ACC staff in their midst to educate them on issues of bribery, petty corruption and extra charges levied on pupils by certain teachers. He promised on behalf of the school to resist, reject and report incidents of bribery and corruption in the schools to the ACC.
The Head Girl Apostle Bona Aladura Senior Secondary School, Comfort Kaiwie, in her vote of thanks heaped praises on the ACC for taking the anti-bribery campaign to schools. She said bribery and petty corruption mostly affect the pupils and therefore called on the Commission to conduct regular engagements with schools.
The distribution of PNB information, education and communication materials climaxed the sensitization exercise.
