By: Sembu Sesay – Intern
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Northern Regional Office, on Tuesday, 15th September 2026, engaged the management and staff of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) at the Conference Room, Waterworks Road Makeni, on corruption prevention, integrity and accountability in the delivery of water services. The customised engagement formed part of the Commission’s preventive mandate and was designed to help SALWACO identify potential corruption risks within its operations and strengthen systems to promote transparent, accountable and efficient service delivery.
Making a presentation, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Mohamed Thullah, explained that customised engagements form part of the Commission’s public education and corruption prevention interventions aimed at educating public officers on corruption risks and building institutional resilience against corruption. He reminded SALWACO staff that, as public officers, they are subject to the Anti-Corruption laws and are expected to uphold professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties.
SPEO Thullah identified bribery and unofficial payments, revenue leakages, misappropriation of public funds, illegal connections and meter tampering, procurement irregularities, absenteeism and dereliction of duty as potential corruption risks within the water sector.
He urged staff not to demand or accept money in exchange for services and stressed that all official payments must be made through approved channels and properly accounted for. He also cautioned against facilitating unauthorised connections or tampering with water meters, noting that such practices could result in revenue losses and undermine effective water service delivery.
Thullah further reminded participants of key corruption offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, including offering, soliciting or accepting an advantage, abuse of office or position, bid rigging, and misappropriation of public and donor funds. He also highlighted reforms introduced under the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2019, including strengthened penalties, restitution and provisions relating to trial in absentia.
ACC Public Education Officer, Nafisatu B. Konuwa, sensitised participants on the channels available for reporting corruption. She encouraged staff to uphold professionalism and high ethical standards, noting that the fight against corruption requires the collective efforts of institutions and citizens.
ACC Intern, Sembu Sesay, explained that the engagement was neither an investigation nor a routine visit, but a deliberate intervention tailored to SALWACO’s operations. He noted that water is an essential public service and requires strong systems to ensure that citizens receive services fairly and efficiently.
Responding on behalf of SALWACO, Regional Manager, Lansana Bafawi, appreciated the Commission for the engagement and sensitisation. He noted that the issues discussed would provide useful guidance for the company’s activities and operations, while reaffirming SALWACO’s commitment to improving service delivery.
Station Manager, Osman Turay, described the engagement as timely and informative. He commended the Commission’s preventive approach and highlighted some operational challenges affecting the provision of effective and efficient water services.
The engagement concluded with a question-and-answer session and the distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.
