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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a stark warning to all public officials overseeing donor-funded projects, following concerns about improper handling of funds that have cost the Government of Sierra Leone through refund payments on substandard or incomplete projects.
Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and related project fiduciary staff are under scrutiny, with the ACC promising severe consequences for those failing to meet donor-agreed standards in project implementation.
The ACC has mandated that public officials must adhere to a series of strict measures or face legal action under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, amended in 2019. Violators will be required to personally refund misused funds through the ACC, who will facilitate their return to the donors, with potential criminal prosecution for serious breaches.
The ACC cited multiple lapses that have led to these refund liabilities, including unauthorized expenditures after project completion, failure to gain approval for expenses post-project, and improper handling of remaining funds in project accounts. Specific guidelines include:
- No Expenditures Post-Project Without Approval: All payments after the official closing date are considered ineligible unless an extension is granted by the donor.
- Mandatory Fund Justification: Any further disbursements or advances require a full retirement or justification of previously allocated funds.
- Strict Adherence to Approved Work Plans: Adjustments to the project’s Annual Work Plan must have explicit donor approval.
- Project Account Closures: All unutilized funds in project bank accounts must be returned to the donors upon the project’s end, with documented proof of transfer.
- Clearance for Signatory Changes: Changes to bank account signatories must be communicated to donors promptly.
The ACC also emphasized the need for strict compliance with any manuals or handbooks provided for project implementation, noting that neglecting these guidelines has often led to unnecessary financial obligations for the government.
In a decisive move to enforce these protocols, the ACC announced it would establish a dedicated task force to audit pending donor-funded projects. The task force will hold accountable project heads, accountants, and auditors who fail to meet standards and contribute to financial liabilities.
The Commission reaffirmed its mandate to safeguard both public and donor funds, cautioning officials to adhere to the newly mandated protocols. Defaulters, it warned, would face full accountability measures, including personal financial liability and the enforcement of the ACC’s full statutory powers.
