His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has commissioned the Integrity House of Sierra Leone, and has assured the Anti-Corruption Commission of government continued support in making their work effective and independent.
The ultra-modern headquarter office of the Anti-Corruption Commission was fully funded by government of Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio and Commissioner Francis Ben Kelfala, the facility will ensure the operational independence of the commission within its own space rather than in rented offices at Gloucester Street and Lotto Building.
During the commissioning of the building, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio noted that Corruption is an existential threat to the image, integrity, and wholesomeness of the state, adding that it undermines business, public service delivery, public trust and cohesion, that are critical for national development.
President Bio urged citizens to therefore prevent and curb the flagrant abuse of public office for personal gain and fight corruption in the private sector.
Outlining the successes of the ACC, President Bio said that the commission has recovery over 45 billion Leones from individuals who had pilfered those monies from the state; adding that the commission has reviewed practices and procedures in over 14 MDAs, with a view to strengthening service delivery, integrity and accountability.
“The commission has also diligently scoured audit reports in line with its risk-based approach to fighting corruption by identifying where corruption is most likely and in what form. The ACC has also caused monies to be paid back to such institutions as the National Revenue Authority, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, the Sierra Leone Cable Network, and Aberdeen Women’s Centre.
Their work has therefore helped to protect public revenue and resources”, he concluded.
One of the major successes of the ACC has been in the area of prosecution. The Commission has successfully prosecuted all levels of individuals, including sitting government ministers, high court judges, heads of government and non-governmental organisations, police officers, and customs officials.
