Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Wednesday 7th August 20113 presented the Systems Review Report to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Alieu Pat-Sowe at a well attended ceremony held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on George Street in Freetown.
In his brief statement, the Director of Fisheries in the Fisheries Ministry, Mr. Alpha A. Bangura said fisheries is one of the most useful and lucrative sectors in the development of any country.
He said the fisheries sector contributes 10% of a Sierra Leone Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also contributes 85% of protein consumed by the people of Sierra Leone. According to Mr. Bangura, the sector has created employments for several Sierra Leoneans and has further ensured livelihood for them. He said the review process was done to enhance transparency in the ministry.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Alieu Pat-Sowe said in February 2012 and in early 2013, his ministry held discussions with officials from the Anti Corruption Commission and mapped out ways to validate the systems and process review report which according to him, has highlighted several concerns about the ministry. He said the report further made recommendations on issues which are to be addressed by the ministry so as to ensure sanity in the ministry.
The Minister assured that out of the 15 recommendations made in the report, his ministry will find ways to address those that are within its reach and those that are not will be referred to the appropriate sectors concern.
Minister Pat-Sowe went on that the report is a clear reflection of good governance and government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in the fisheries industry in Sierra Leone.
Hon. Pat-Sowe informed his audience that the ministry is currently constructing a fishery training institute which is to be completed by December this year. He said it has also sent a team of Sierra Leoneans to Russia to be trained on fisheries development.
Deputy Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission, Mr. Morlai Buya Kamara said systems and processes review is an approach implemented by the ACC to complement the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
The ACC, according to the deputy commissioners, is more than committed to clean Sierra Leone off corruption and corrupt individuals. He then presented the report to the minister and urged him to implement the recommendations therein for the growth and development of the country.
An overview of the report was given by the Director, Systems and Process Review Department of the ACC, Mr. Maurice A. Williams.
Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone