By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Over billion of leones have been allegedly embezzled at the Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority.
On Wednesday 24th July, 2024, staff of the Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority went haywire in protest of the alleged nefarious attitude of some of the top management staff; especially their Executive Secretary in scooping funds meant for the smooth operations of the authority.
On behalf of the aggrieved staff, the Senior Scientific Officer, Alie Conteh alleged that due to the huge embezzlement it has left the office completely dilapidated, adding that, even the computer lab is not functioning properly due to the huge embezzlement and other administrative lapses by the Executive Secretary and other top management staff.
The Senior Scientific Officer further stated that members of the Board after they have thoroughly investigated the issue they decided to suspend the Executive Secretary and hand over the matter to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation and eventual prosecution. Alie Conteh disclosed that the Executive Secretary was later invited by the Anti-Corruption Commission and was detained for two days and the ACC put a seal on his office pending the outcome of the investigation.
“To our surprise, the Executive Secretary came to work on Tuesday and removed the seal which the ACC had put on his door,” he alleged, stating that, “the Executive Secretary bragged that he was authorized by top government officials to open the door and start working.
“We have decided to go on strike until we hear from the Anti-Corruption Commission,” Conteh asserted on behalf of colleagues. He pointed out that after their Executive Secretary was suspended by the Board in less than two weeks, they were able to generate over six hundred million leones. He argued that the total estimated shipment of minerals is three and forty-one billion seven hundred and six one million and two hundred thousand old leones under the leadership of their Executive Secretary which should be paid into their institution’s account, but the Executive Secretary allegedly instructed for the money to be paid into his own personal account.
“We have receipt to the effect that the Executive Secretary falsified the signature and receipt of the Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority to his own use and benefit,” he claimed, adding that, there are other nefarious and clandestine issues which they have in their possession against the Executive Secretary.
On behalf of his colleagues, Alie Conteh appealed to the Anti-Corruption Commission to speedily investigate the issue and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In response, the Executive Secretary of the Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority, John Jabati through WhatsApp message sent to this reporter stated that the matter is currently under investigation at the ACC and he doesn’t want to prejudice the investigation.
