Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) handed over the Walvis Bay Corruption Risk Assessment Report to the Walvis Bay municipality at Walvis Bay on Friday.
A corruption risk assessment was conducted from 18 to 21 February 2020, for the Municipality of Walvis Bay. It included the presentation of the Anti-Corruption Act and the ethics and integrity programme.
The workshop resulted in the development of the corruption risk mitigation plan, where eight corruption risks were identified.
They include private use of municipal vehicles, deliberate incorrect information on the information system, manipulation of overtime, deliberate understating of property value, favouritism in debt management, favouring suppliers in approved multiple supplier contracts, collusion with service providers, and favouritism in land, urban and housing sales.
ACC deputy director Erna van der Merwe said actions were developed to address the risks, and there were regular internal checks for financial transactions.
Weekly progress reports with regards to the work of suppliers and pre-assessment and qualification of work to be done by suppliers were also submitted.
“The ACC Swakopmund also confirmed that the actions were implemented as per the mitigation plan, according to the feedback from the management of the municipality in the monitoring and evaluation session conducted on 11 March 2021, and supporting documents were supplied.
“The format of the monitoring and evaluation report also served as an example that can be emulated by other institutions when it comes to easy reference of actions implemented. This can be ascribed to the proper numbering of all actions and steps taken,” said Van der Merwe.
She applauded the municipality for the establishment of an internal audit section, which could help deter corruption.
She further applauded the councillors and management members who voluntarily signed integrity pledges promising to conduct their duties in a fair and transparent manner.
“This emphasises the commitment of the management cadres to abstain from corruption in serving their residents. This will lead to a prosperous community where everybody can rely on excellent service from their local authority. As the main port for Namibia and the biggest town in Erongo, other regions also rely on the local authority which conducts business in a transparent manner. You are already a role model to other local authorities. We are proud to say that you are one of the exemplary stakeholders of the ACC.”
The municipality’s acting chief executive officer, David Uushona, emphasised the municipality’s commitment, especially after it established its new strategic plan.
“Proof of our commitment to the execution of the corruption risk assessment report already started on Monday, with the signing of our commitment pledges to the strategic plan, which will further be cemented by the signing of the integrity plan pledges. This is proof of us walking the rapid talk and leading by example,” he said.
Walvis Bay deputy mayor Saara Mutondoka also noted that the report will aid the municipality in preventing corruption.
“Corruption is a national enemy that is crippling this country. I hope that from the report we are receiving, we will have clear direction on how we can prevent corruption in our organisation. I also want the members of the ACC present, to speed up investigations, as they sometimes take too long to conclude.”
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