ACC-Customs sign MoU to cooperate on preventing corruption

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Maldives Customs Service has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on preventing corruption and enhancing integrity on Thursday.

The MoU pertains to encouraging integrity among Customs’ staff in executing their duties and the provision of information by Customs for investigations under probe by ACC.

Commissioner General Abdulla Shareef signed the MoU on behalf of Customs while President Adam Shareef signed MoU on behalf of ACC.

Speaking after signing the MoU, Commissioner General Shareef described the agreement as one of great importance.

“As I believe, the MoU signed today will aid in enhancing integrity between Customs and ACC. Because Customs is an enforcement agency, undertaking many technical responsibilities, it is extremely important that ACC, as a watchdog, remains privy to this information. I give assurance that we will improve cooperation in this trajectory,” he said.

Shareef also underscored Customs’ earlier efforts to enforce the zero-tolerance policy of the government, including the establishment and operations of an Integrity and Professional Section internally.

ACC’s Vice President Abdul Salaam, who also spoke at the ceremony, remarked that the work carried out within Customs was linked to the development of the nation and shaping the society.

He emphasized on the importance of prioritizing honesty and integrity in every situation.

“We are keeping watch on all these things, therewith, the work we undertake is also hefty and important. The number of our staff, in comparison to Customs, is very little. Therefore, we are one of the partners in the work carried out by Customs. We have to brief them on ways to reduce pathways to corruption in Customs’ undertakings,” he said.

ACC has executed similar MoUs with other organizations as well for the purpose of preventing corruption and improving cooperation in their investigations.