As a way of preventing and addressing incidences of corruption in the public service, the North-West Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Friday, June 30, 2022, urged staff of the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning in Port Loko City to enhance best practices and uphold integrity in the exercise of their functions and operations.
According to the Public Education Officer Mohamed Thullah, the engagements was conducted to sensitize staff on the general work of the Commission, bring to light key corruption issues in the operations of the ministry and solicit support from staff and further explained the three pronged approaches to the fight against graft. Commenting on the corruption syndicate in dubious sale of land, PEO Thullah stated that corruption in land administration is predicated on the abuse of entrusted power for private gain while carrying out functions of land management. These practices, he said, includes but not limited to citizens having to pay bribes during land processes, land expropriation and a perverse system between officials of the ministry and local authorities.
Addressing staff of the ministry, the Regional Manager Al-Hassan Sesay recognized and acknowledged the importance of the ministry in providing and managing an equitable distribution of land resources across the country. Amidst public concerns of the ministry being shrouded in corruption, he pointed out that where land governance is deficient, high levels of corruption often flourish and most times these weaknesses are characterized by low levels of transparency, accountability and the rule of law. He emphasized that corruption prevalence in the sector relies on broader weaknesses and breakdowns of the ministry’s position on best practices.
He went on to note that working in the ministry either on voluntary and on casual basis makes all of the staff public officers and by extension are covered by the ACC laws. He therefore cautioned them to be cognizant of the law and the presence of the ACC in the region.
He further explained key offence in the Anti-Corruption Act that bother on; offering, soliciting and accepting an advantage, receiving gifts for corrupt purposes, misappropriation of public/donor funds and property, abuse of office and position, soliciting advantage on behalf of a public officer, time theft, and various extortion practices prevalent in ministry are punishable offences.
Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh registered the commission’s position to compliance to government’s policies, best practices and conformity to internal controls. He also noted attendance, punctuality and integrity as major concerns to the ACC and encouraged the leadership to put in place internal control measures to enhance compliance to best practices.
Earlier in his brief statement, the Acting Regional Director of Lands Karim Kargbo thanked the ACC for engaging and educating their staff on corruption issues and to also guide their conduct in the process of executing their official functions and called on the ACC for more engagement and effective collaboration between the two institutions.
The Executive Director of Forum for Accountability and Citizen’s Trust Emmason Kolo Bangura accentuated the significance of enhancing transparency and accountable systems within the ministry for an effective service delivery. He pointed out public concerns and resentment relating to inherent corruption allegations in the ministry and the need for putting in place efficient internal control measures in the ministry. He also called on the leadership of the ministry to increase its partnership and collaboration with the community to addressing the enormous challenges plaguing the sector
Presentation of IEC materials and question and answer session formed part of the engagement.
© ACC North- West Office