Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aiming to foster mutual cooperation and public sector integrity, was signed, this morning, between the Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms (MPSAIR) and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebène.
The Secretary for Public Service, Mr Bojrazsingh Boyramboli, and the Supervising Officer of the Corruption, Prevention and Education Division of the ICAC, Mr Lalldeo Boodhoo, represented their respective organisations for the signing of the MOU. The signing ceremony was followed by a workshop on the exercise of discretionary powers.
In his speech, Mr Boyramboli recalled that MPSAIR and ICAC have been collaborating closely since the implementation of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Framework with the aim to promote a corruption free public service. He added that the MOU focuses on the management support for the setting up of a clear anti-corruption agenda and reinforcement of system integrity to implement the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Framework in all Ministries/Departments.
Mr Boyramboli also stated that last year 900 public officers were trained on how to conduct Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) at the level of their Ministries/Departments of potential risk corruption and stressed that the fight against corruption requires not only tools, mechanism and infrastructure but also promoting a corruption free working environment.
As for Mr Boodhoo, he highlighted the importance of discretion in decision making processes and stated that discretionary powers could be misused in the public sector. He also recalled that the MPSAIR in collaboration with ICAC had launched a set of guidelines last year on the Exercise of Discretionary Powers to prevent potential risk of corruption in the public sector.
He also said that due to unexpected disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to revisit the strategies used to better serve the public. In this context, he highlighted that a change in the prevention and education strategy with the development of online courses, e-learning modules, virtual trainings and increased use of social media has been implemented at the level of the ICAC.
Moreover, Mr Boodhoo appealed to all Heads of Government agencies to provide the necessary technological support to enable officers to attend the many virtual anti-corruption trainings organised by the ICAC.
