Official sources at the Department of Forestry have revealed that nineteen million dalasi have been withdrawn from the National Forest Fund, to buy Pajero vehicles for regional governors across the country.
This revelation comes on the heels of allegations and counter allegations regarding the splashing of seven million dalasi bribe from one Chinese company in a bid to de-reserve part of Salagi Forest Park as well wanton clearing of the Nyambai Forest without following the due process of clear-felling of the forest.
Last week Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Lamin Dibba, denied any allegations of corruption and bribery as far as the de-reservation of part of Salagi Forest is concern, affirming that neither he nor his officials received any form of bribe from any Chinese Company.
However, fresh allegations are unabatedly emanating from the Technical Unit of the Department of Forestry alleging nineteen million dalasi (D19M) belonging to the National Forest Fund (NFF) was used to purchase new Pajero vehicles for regional governors.
The National Forest Fund (NFF) is a special account at the Treasury Department raise through sales of timbers from national forest parks and 15% contributions of Community Forest Parks specifically designed to be used for developments within the forestry departments, national forest parts as well as for national tree planting activities.
“I can confirmed to you that over nineteen million dalasi (D19M) has been withdrawn from the National Forest Fund (NFF) to buy Pajero vehicles for the Regional Governors.
The National Forest Fund is not meant for this purpose but rather to be used for development purposes within the Forestry Department as well for National Tree Planting activities,” an anonymous source working at the Technical Unit of the Department of Forestry disclosed to The Voice.
According to him, the decision to purchase such vehicles emanated from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources without following the due processes of engaging the Technical Unit of the Department of Forestry, stating that any money that is to be withdrawn from the National Forest Fund (NFF) must be communicated to the Technical Unit through the Department of Forestry.
“We are not communicated to as far the purchased of these vehicles are concern but only came to know about it after the purchases. It’s really disappointing, because before such amount of money used to buy vehicles for the Regional Governors, why not used such funds to develop our forest parks or empower community forest management,” he said.
Up to press time, efforts to talk to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources proved futile after series attempts to engage him on the issue. The Voice will continue to engage the relevant authorities to get to the bottom of the matter.
Attitudes towards work will reflect on collective achievements-President Barrow
“Let me emphasise that although we are individually entrusted with positions of trust, our individual attitudes towards work will reflect on our collective achievements.
Out of necessity, we have to serve as role models, and take positive steps to reform our institutions,” President Adama Barrow told new government officials.
He added: “Our positions compel us also to promote and ensure transparency and accountability. It is for this reason, and to reduce waste and corruption that Government now has a single consolidated fund.”
On Thursday, President Barrow presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the new Minister of Defence, Sheikh Omar Faye and Minister of Interior, Yankuba Sonko, as well as Secretary General and Head of Civil Service at State House.
He pointed out that corruption is not about financial mismanagement only, but it includes abuse of authority, cheating on hours of work by delaying outputs and refusing to follow the right procedures and processes.
He called on public servants, to be ready to face the task of building the right institutions with the right frame of mind, saying that the country needs people who serve sincerely, no matter what their political affiliation may be.
“It is not acceptable for anyone entrusted a position of trust to undermine the Government’s policies and programmes for political considerations. What we need are the right people to take responsibility for our institutions, and lead the implementation of our policies and programmes,” he cautions the newly appointed officials.
He stressed that the pledge to engage in institutional and legal reforms mandates, government officials to work hard enough to leave behind a legacy of strong and sustainable institutions, effective laws and the right procedures.
According to him, peace, security and the rule of law are key factors for stability, revealing that he decided to let go the portfolio of Minister of Defence to ensure that government have a Ministry, under a cabinet minister to lead the sector reforms.
He also said that it is also important to fast track the internal security sector reforms, noting that with the new Interior Minister, a sharper focus and more urgency will attend the security reform programme.