ACC’s STATEMENT ON THE AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF SIERRA LEONE FOR 2011

Issued on February 2, 2013

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) welcomes the Auditor General’s report on the Accounts of Sierra Leone and wishes to remind the general public that the role of the Audit Service is ‘to independently review the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government as the custodian of public funds and to ensure that these moneys are used in the manner intended by Parliament as well as being clearly and accurately reported’.

The seemingly dismal audit queries, wedged with serious transparency and accountability gaps running through the majority of Ministries, Departments and Agencies pose a significant threat to the Government’s Agenda for Prosperity and good governance in general

The ACC encourages the government to give due consideration and attention to the matters raised therein, and in particular, to the circumstance of the issuance of a Disclaimer of Opinion on the Financial Statements of the Government of Sierra Leone.

In consonance with the powers vested in the Commission under Section 7(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, it is hereby directed that all persons and entities subject to make repayments and/or explanations submit their responses to the ACC within 30 days of the issuance of this Notice.

Pursuant to the memorandum signed between the Audit Service Sierra Leone (AASL) and the ACC, the Commission will collaborate with the Audit Service in taking appropriate action as may be deemed necessary.

The general public is assured that the Commissioner and staff are more determined than ever before to continue the fight to make Sierra Leone free of the stigma of corruption.

This is Section referred to by the Head of the Anti Corruption Commission one Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara. He is in the post at the pleasure of the smoke and mirrors occupant at State House one Ernest Bai Koroma who has given him a very fat

Functions of Commission

7. (1) The objects for which the Commission is established are-

(a) to take all steps as may be necessary for the prevention, eradication or suppression of corruption and corrupt practices;

(b) to investigate instances of alleged or suspected corruption referred to it by any person or authority or which has come to its attention, whether by complaint or otherwise;

(c) to investigate any matter that, in the opinion of the Commission, raises suspicion that any of the following has occurred or is about to occur-

(i) conduct constituting corruption or an economic or related offence;

(ii) conduct liable to allow, encourage or cause conduct constituting corruption or an economic or related offence; and

(d) to prosecute all offences committed under this Act.