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Allegations of contract mismanagement have surfaced within Sierra Leone’s Immigration Department, following reports from whistleblowers who claim that the procurement process for new staff uniforms breached the National Public Procurement Act of 2016.
According to these insiders, the contract was awarded without the necessary public advertisement or open bidding process, which are mandated to ensure fair competition and transparency in government contracts.
The whistleblowers assert that the contract was granted to an associate of the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), raising concerns about favoritism and the circumvention of established procurement procedures.
Under the Procurement Act, all government contracts should undergo a competitive bidding process designed to promote accountability and serve the public interest.
The allegations suggest a significant deviation from these requirements, potentially undermining the integrity of the procurement system.
In response to the gravity of the claims, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation to determine whether the Immigration Department neglected due process in awarding the contract.
The ACC’s probe aims to assess the validity of the allegations and explore whether any legal violations occurred. While the whistleblowers have chosen to withhold further details to protect the integrity of the investigation, they indicate that more information may emerge as the inquiry progresses.
If proven true, these allegations could expose critical weaknesses in procurement practices within the public sector and underscore the urgent need for enhanced enforcement of procurement laws to prevent corruption.
The ACC’s involvement marks a crucial step toward accountability in public contracts, and many Sierra Leoneans are eagerly awaiting further updates on this developing story.
