News Story

FREETOWN: NEW PEOPLE CORRESPONDENT: The New People sources close to the Anti-Corruption Czar, Abdul Tejan-Cole state that he is very impatient with the slow pace at which the commission's work is progressing. He is frustrated at the continuous failure of the APC government to fully support all initiatives undertaken by the Anti-corruption commission. The anti-corruption boss, on accessing office, presented Sierra Leoneans with a three pronged approach with emphasis on prevention through awarness and public information, then investigation, and prosecution.

Although President Koroma has said in public that he will fully support Commissioner Tejan-Cole in "pursuing where the evidence leads him," it is evident from recent happenings that the APC government is not even interested in presenting the evidence in the first instance. Recently, the anti-corruption commission has shown great interest in the full contractual and other details involved in the deals between the World Bank, the Government of Sierra Leone and the Independent Power Providers (IPP). There have been ongoing allegations from the World Bank that the APC government has failed to honour the memorandum of understanding (MOU) about the the contractor and amount of the contract. In spite of the World Bank's allegations of impropriety, President Koroma has failed to put pressure on Haja Afsatu Kabba to turn in all documents relating to the contract to the anti-corruption commission. Haja Afsatu Kabbah has also failed to fully account to the Sierra Leonean people. Up to the time of going to press, the anti-corruption commission and Sierra Leoneans are still in the dark about the full details of the power contract. If President Koroma's mantra about "zero tolerance" means anything, then should there not be zero tolerance for hiding documents?

The other issue that is frustrating the anti-corruption commissioner regards the very slow pace of passing enabling legislation so that the commission can get on with its work. The APC government has not been cooperative on introducing and passing enabling legislation that will compel all government ministers and senior government functionaries to declare all their assets upon assuming office and for them to update the records and register on an annual basis. APC sources indicate that a majority of APC ministers and even the President are now uneasy about declaring all assets for the public. Alpha Kanu, presidential confidant, is particularly unhappy about the declaration of assets and he believes that it is nobody's business what he owns or does not own. This logic defeats itself as people are now asking whether government ministers are not frustrating their own agenda.

A western diplomatic source that preferred to remain anonymous but whose country has contributed immensely to the development of the country in recent years and has been very instrumental in developing a transparent and accountable fiscal system in the country stated that western governments will not be "patient forever."

Asked what he meant by that, he said that "our government expects the government of Sierra Leone to maintain the values of transparency, good governance, and accountability[. . .] that is a contract between them and the people of Sierra Leone."

Asked whether his government has supported or is supporting the office of the anti-corruption commission, he said that his government had 'sustained all funding levels for the current fiscal year, and that the commission has sufficient funds to carry out its work."

On the question on whether his country is impatient with the slow pace of things, he said that his government and his department in particular focuses on "development and international cooperation" and that theirs is a "partnership with the government of Sierra Leone." He further pointed out that "it will be encouraging for the government to start showing the people of Sierra Leone that its promises of the values of accountability and transparency are not just empty talk."

In response to the question of who the problem was for the slow pace of work in anti-corruption, he said, "I believe the anti-corruption commissioner is a very capable person and he has the expertise, manpower, and funding to do a very good job for the people of Sierra Leone. All the things over which he has control and lie within his power, I think, he will do very well. Other things he cannot control, I don't think he can do."

The diplomat refused to say whether his final statement was an expression of impatience with the pace of reform on corruption and good governance in Sierra Leone. He simply said that he believes that anti-corruption commissioner is capable of doing well, and he will do a good job if he is supported by the government and the people of Sierra Leone."