The Regional Manager of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the North-West Region, Fatu Florence Kamara has told heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Port Loko to develop and maintain Gift Registers in their various institutions. 

It could be recalled that the ACC in a Press Release reminded all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government about the provisions of Section 51(4) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 as amended in 2019, which requires all Public Institutions to develop and maintain a Gift Register.

Addressing Heads of MDAs at the ACC's Regional Office in Port Loko, Manager Fatu Florence Kamara said the gift register is provided for by law pursuant to Section 51(4) of the AC Act and is indicative of gifts received between givers and recipients amounting to Five Thousand New Leones or its equivalent in value or benefits. Emphasizing the importance of the gift register, Manager Kamara accentuated the role of the public officer to make a report of gift received as well as doing same in his asset declaration indicating the nature of the gift, time, and circumstances.

As Heads of institutions, she said, they are expected to cascade this message and to immediately develop the gift register in their various institutions. The Regional Head informed them that the ACC will be making on-the-spot checks to ensure compliance. 

She also informed them that failure to develop a gift register shall be liable on conviction to a fine three times the value of the gift or benefit or Fifty Million [Old] Leones, whichever is greater or to imprisonment for a term not less than one year as provided for in Section 51(5) of the AC Act.

In a similar engagement, Manager Kamara urged them to take meaningful steps to addressing time theft and absenteeism which has adversely affected service delivery.