By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
As part of their key deliverables for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is to complete investigations of at least 50% of cases reported to the institution, according to Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie at the ongoing FY2024 Policy Hearing and Bilateral Budget discussions at the Ministry of Finance in Freetown.
Presenting the Commission’s budget statement, Ngobie noted that the fight against graft will be key in the coming year as he said they will continue to consolidate and deepen public support and awareness in the fight against corruption through the empowerment of 120 communities.
He said that they will also target 350 radio talk shows, 800 articles on knowledge about the ACC, and television programmes nationwide.
He added that they will continue engaging 170-institutions-schools, colleges, universities, and Youth groups. He highlighted some of the high-profile cases the Commission successfully investigated for FY 2022 such as the fake degrees, fake licenses at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), the Agro-chemical procurement issue at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS).
The Deputy Commissioner stated that for the first half of 2023, they have successfully investigated the double dipping saga involving the General Manager of Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC). He also said that they have completed investigations into the Mother Land City housing scheme with hundreds of people defrauded.
He added that the ACC completed investigations in respect of donations made to the sick Pekin Project by the Director General of NASSIT.
Ngobie pointed out that the Commission has so far recovered NLE 39,271,871 (thirty-nine million, two hundred and seventy-one thousand, eight hundred and seventy-one New Leones) from cases brought before the Commission.
He said of that total figure, they recovered NLE 8,852,379 (eight million, eight hundred and fifty-two thousand, three hundred and seventy nine New Leones) in 2018, NLE11,290,062 (eleven million, two hundred and ninety thousand, and sixty-two New Leones) in 2019 and NLE7,008,330 (seven million and eight thousand, three hundred and thirty New Leones) in 2020.
He reiterated that the Commission further recovered NLE5, 687,488 (five million, six hundred and eighty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-eight New Leones) in 2021, NLE 3,477, 183 (three million, four hundred and seventy-seven thousand, one hundred and eighty-three New Leones) in 2022 and NLE 2, 956, 437 (two million, nine hundred and fifty-six thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven New Leones) from January to September 2023.
When questioned by Non-State Actors to explain the inflation of staff cost amounting NLE72, 244, 542 (seventy-two million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, five hundred and forty-two New Leones) for 2024, compared to the previous budget estimate of NLE 24, 718, 229 (twenty-four million, seven hundred and eighteen thousand, two hundred and twenty nine New Leones) for 2023, he stated that the increase in staff cost is to have permanent staff stationed in the regions to address corruption cases.
Ngobie then submitted a budget estimate of NLE 96, 708, 848 (ninety-six million, seven hundred and eight thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight New Leone) to address the Commission’s challenges in logistics, human and material resources.
The ACC was established to lead in the fight against and control corruption through prevention, investigation, prosecution, and public education.
Copyright (c) 2023 Politico (11/10/23)
