Nazaha bans staff from taking gifts

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has issued an order that prohibits its staff from accepting any gifts or preferential treatment from anyone.
In a statement, Nazaha’s Chairman Muhammad Al-Sharief said offers for discounted prices, free memberships or preferential treatment bestowed upon any Nazaha employee falls within the purview of the order.
Moreover, the chairman stated that if an employee finds himself in such a situation, the matter should be immediately brought to his attention.
“This order seeks to fulfill the goal for which Nazaha has been established and it is also in line with the national policy to ensure honesty and combat corruption, in addition to adhering to the oath taken by the Nazaha employees that they would fulfill their duties with trustworthiness, honesty and dedication,” Al-Sharief said in the statement.
He added that the sixth paragraph of the third article on the conduct of Nazaha employees stipulates that they should not accept any priority treatment, gift, present or anything that falls under that category from any individual, department or establishment that comes within Nazaha’s jurisdiction.
The fourth paragraph of the fourth article of the same bylaw stipulates that an employee should inform the chairman of the commission when faced with such a situation as aforementioned above.
In another development, Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras blamed some municipal officials for the delay in replying to certain observations made by Nazaha officials related to the municipality’s activities.
The officials included assistant mayors and undersecretaries in various public departments, including the municipal affairs, information technology, legal affairs, properties, strategic planning and urban planning, Al-Hayat daily reported yesterday, quoting an informed source.
The mayor said he informed the officials about Nazaha’s demand for clarifications on some activities related to their departments and told them to send immediate replies to the commission. He also told them that any of the commission’s queries have to be replied to within the deadline set, as the commission’s activities are related to the welfare of the people.
He added that all government departments should comply with the demands of Nazaha in line with the orders issued by the Council of Ministers specifying the tasks of Nazaha.
He said the heads of concerned municipal departments would be fully accountable for any consequence resulting from their delay in replying to Nazaha.