AYV News, September 15, 2023
The Regional Manager of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Kono, Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara has called on staff of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to refrain from all forms of corruption during the discharge of their duties.
The Manager made this statement on 4th September, 2023, during a customised meeting with EDSA staff at the EDSA Office in Koidu city, Kono district.
Manager said the ACC has received several complaints from the public including extortion, failure to provide meters after payment, soliciting monies for the meters donated by His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to residents of Kono, among others.
She stressed on the importance of the institution to the development of Sierra Leone, noting that, “EDSA is one of the key service delivery institutions in the country and that staff should refrain from collecting monies for services that are supposed to be free of charge.”
Commenting on corruption and its adverse effects on the country, the Manager described the scourge as a form of dishonesty and a criminal offence, perpetrated by a person or group of persons entrusted with a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits. Corruption, she went on, is also the abuse of power for one’s personal gain.
The Manager added that corruption affects economic development and equitable distribution of resources, thereby increasing income inequalities, undermining the effectiveness of social service programmes and ultimately resulting in lower levels of human development.
She encouraged all present to desist from all forms of corrupt practices and inculcate the values of transparency, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Mrs. Kamara disclosed that the Commission has recommended for the establishment of a Committee to look into the distribution of the Five Thousand (5,000) Meters donated by President Bio for residents of the district. She said that the meters are not meant to be sold to the public or be given to influential individuals in the district, but for people who cannot afford meter fees, and to new areas where transformers have been erected.
“As a member of the Committee, the ACC will ensure that all the due processes are followed and that transparency and accountability will be strictly adhered to for the distribution of the said meters.”
The ACC will use the law to come down heavily on any EDSA staff that goes against the due processes that have been set up by the Committee for the distribution of the said meters,” the Manager concluded.
The District Engineer, EDSA Kono, Moses Sesay, thanked the ACC for their proactive measures in fighting corruption in the country. He added that the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and meeting with public institutions are all geared towards establishing transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
He urged his colleagues to take the anti-corruption messages and precautionary measures communicated by the Manager very seriously as EDSA will not stand behind any staff who comes into conflict with the law. He promised to be constantly reminding his staff of the Manager’s submission and will be infusing anti-corruption messages during their monthly staff meetings.
He finally urged staff members that have defaulted in submitting their Asset Declaration Forms to the ACC to speedily complete and submit them to avoid the wrath of the law.
