By Prince J Musa in Kenema
People living in parts of the Eastern region have told the visiting team from the Anti-corruption Commission that Insurance companies have not been treating their clients well.
This was revealed by the ACC Director of Public Education and Outreach Patrick Sandi when explaining to Politico the recent tour of parts of the Eastern region by the ACC boss Francis Ben Kaifala and team. He said during their engagements with people concerns were raised by the people pertaining to the benefits expected of clients having policies with insurance companies and were accused of not paying benefits when policyholders like teachers die. He said the people cited Ritcorp Insurance as one company that they alleged was guilty of such an anomaly.
Sandi said the tour was to update people about the work of the commission in places such as Segbewama, Daru, Pendembu, Kailahun town and Koindu.
He stated that they were able to engage the people so they could get feedback from them on their views about the work of the ACC in mitigating corrupt practices within government institutions by corrupt individuals at the detriment of the masses.
He said under the leadership of Kaifala, the ACC has been internationally recognized in fighting corruption which has earned Sierra Leone high ratings and which got the country eligible for the Millennium Corporation Challenge US grant of $400M.
Sandi said the commission is owned by the people and is, therefore, necessary that they should be well informed about ACC’s activities in the fight against corruption.
He highlighted the concerns of the people over the difficulties some teachers face going without salaries even though they have been given pin codes and the lengthy stay of volunteer teachers in the classroom without being recruited into the workforce.
The timber business and the implementation of projects in communities they say must be thoroughly scrutinized by the ACC, Sandi explained.
Paramount Chief of Njaluahun Chiefdom Kailahun district PC Sheriff Coker Jajua told Politico he was happy and gratified that President Julius Maada Bio chose Kaifala to head the ACC, whose leadership has made people realize corruption has been rife in the country. He said he has assured that they will continue to see the ACC as one key institution that is contributing to the development of this nation. “Where corruption exists no development will be possible’’, he remarked.
Chief Jajua noted that with the kind of community engagement, people in rural communities will realize the bad effects of corruption and will also create greater awareness on the monitoring of projects in their settlements.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online
