By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
On the basis to eradicate corruption, bribery, misappropriation and enhancing Sierra Leone as a more efficient, accountable and transparent nation, the Anti-corruption has issued a stern warning to public and government officials on the excessive misuse of government vehicles and other properties owned by the state.
This statement originated through a press release from the Anti- Corruption head office at Tower hill, Freetown on 17th November 2023.
To start with, the commission mentioned that the essence of the release is as a result of the actions of some public officials who are in the habit of unhinged fully assigned government vehicles, properties and assets in a totally unreasonable manner that is inconsistent and have made a desperate call to make a thorough assessment on the use of public assets. They went further to ascertain that the Commission is charged with the full responsibility and rights to ensure that checks and balances are made when it comes to public assess and activities of public and government officials to utilize them in a very professional and efficient manner that befits the purpose of any government properties.
According to them the act which gives the right, is with the interpretation of the Act which says “A public property (such as vehicle, house, computer etc.) includes property belonging to a Government, or to the people of Sierra Leone or a section thereof or to a local authority, or to a government company, any commission or committee established by or under the constitution or by or under any law, whether in Sierra Leone or elsewhere”.
It is with this backdrop that the commission informs and warns all government and public officials to work within the ambit of professionalism and patriotism.
Furthermore, the commission engages that all public assets such as vehicles, Government Quarters, Telephones, computers, and other office equipment which are initiated by the commission and to be ensured that these assets are used only on government business. They maintain that any usage of vehicles for personal reasons is not considered to be government business.
However, the commission outlined that if there is a need for a variation for personal use then each instances will be considered based on merits and the approval will be given by the Head of the Department or the Deputy in writing. With clearly issuing that these exceptions can be mainly excepted in the case of accident, sickness or breakdown. On that note the commission made the stance on the altercations of section 48 (1) of the Anti-corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019, which Protects public property and levied a fine against any public or government officials who fraudulently or illegally damages public property will be charged with a conviction of not less than five years or a minimum of Fifty Million old Leones (Le50,000,000).
The commission carries on authorized that all public or Government officials should carefully follow the laid down procedures and if any failure is found by any government officials on not following these procedures then it will warrant the commission to invoke provision of this act. the commission continues to encourage members of the public to report any suspected misuse of , or damage of government vehicles and other government properties to the commission or their toll free line 077, 986,986 or any of their commission’s office in Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Kono, Makeni, and Port Loki. Conclusively, the commission reassures the general public of its unwavering determination and relentless efforts to protect all government property and to end corruption and promote transparency and sanity in Sierra Leone.
