The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Southern Regional Office has engaged employees of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) in Bo City on integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct as part of efforts to strengthen corruption prevention within public institutions. The engagement, held at the Authority's regional office in New London, Bo City, aimed to reinforce ethical values and remind staff of their critical responsibility in ensuring road safety and protecting the lives of road users.
Speaking at the session, ACC Southern Region Manager, Mohamed Tomboyeke, emphasized the importance of integrity in the administration of road safety regulations, noting that ethical lapses in the sector can have far-reaching consequences for public safety. He cautioned staff against engaging in corrupt practices that undermine regulatory compliance and compromise the effective discharge of their duties. According to him, when safety standards are sacrificed for personal gain, the result is not only loss of public revenue but also increased risk of accidents and loss of lives.
Mr. Tomboyeke further highlighted the legal implications of corruption offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, as amended in 2019, and stressed that integrity-driven public service remains essential for national development.
In his presentation, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Abdulai Saccoh, explained how corruption can weaken road safety systems by undermining traffic law enforcement, vehicle inspection processes, and driver licensing procedures. He noted that the solicitation or acceptance of bribes in the performance of regulatory functions contributes to non-compliance with traffic laws and increases the likelihood of road accidents. He therefore urged staff to uphold professionalism and ensure that road safety regulations are enforced fairly and transparently.
Also speaking, ACC Public Education Officer, Mohamed A. Kabba, said the engagement formed part of the Commission's proactive efforts to increase awareness of corruption risks within public institutions and promote ethical service delivery. He emphasized that corruption in the road safety sector has serious implications for public welfare and encouraged staff to resist all forms of bribery and undue influence. He further urged them to consistently apply established procedures and standards in the execution of their duties.
Responding on behalf of the Authority, SLRSA Regional Manager, Lamin S. Yansaneh, welcomed the engagement and described it as timely and beneficial. He reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to enforcing road safety regulations in accordance with the law and pledged continued collaboration with the ACC to strengthen internal control systems, enhance staff accountability, and promote transparency in service delivery.
Mr. Yansaneh also encouraged staff to embrace the anti-corruption messages shared during the engagement and apply them in their day-to-day responsibilities.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by the SLRSA Regional Office in Bo to work closely with the ACC in promoting integrity and preventing corruption within the road safety sector.
