HoS inaugurates unit to curb corruption in public service

THE Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has urged Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to consistently, demonstrate commitment to the fight against corruption in the civil service.

She said this will strengthen transparency and accountability in the execution of government policies and functions.

Yemi-Esan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Common Service Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Idris, made the call during the inauguration of a repositioned Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in the OHCSF.

She stated that the fight against corruption remains a top priority of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that there is the need to make deliberate efforts to strengthen anti-corruption reforms in the various ministries, extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

While recognising the strategic role of ACTUs in the MDAs, she stressed that this was borne out of government’s desire to change the narrative and make concerted efforts at identifying and closing existing gaps in the Anti-Corruption Initiative.

Mrs. Yemi-Esan, further said that there is the need for unwavering commitment and diligent pursuit of policies that seek to promote transparency, accountability, while discouraging as well as sanctioning all forms of corrupt tendencies among civil servants.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation,  Faruk Yusuf Yabo, recalled that following the return of democracy in 1999 and the consistent efforts at promoting transparency and accountability in the conduct of government businesses, the Federal Government, through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) directed the establishment of ACTUs in every MDA, to provide the Institutional framework required to combat corruption at the ministerial level.

In his address, the Chairman, ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, represented by Dr Louis Mandama, said the establishment of ACTUs in MDAs is underpinned by the fundamental belief that the public service, being the channel through which government policies and programmes are implemented, must live up to expectations by discharging efficiently and effectively.

He advised that the fight against all forms of corrupt tendencies should, always, remain the centre of our efforts  at entrenching and  promoting transparency and accountability towards achieving corruption-free MDAs.

According to him, the inauguration of the reinvigorated Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit and induction of the committee members for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will no doubt be a re-birth of the anti-corruption drive in the organisation.

He presupposes that the guidelines for the operation of ACTUs, when fully established in the OHCSF, will assist the anti-corruption commission in regulating and ensuring compliance with the directive to establish and  strengthen the units, across all MDAs.

In his address, the Chairman, ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, represented by Dr Louis Mandama, said the establishment of ACTUs in MDAs is underpinned by the fundamental belief that the public service, being the channel through which government policies and programmes are implemented, must live up to expectations by discharging, efficiently and effectively.

He also disclosed that ACTU was set up as an in-house check mechanism to assist management of MDAs in corruption prevention and entrenching ethical principles within their organisations.

Mandama further said that the Commission, since the establishment of ACTUs, used to enjoy robust collaboration with the OHCSF on the oversight of ACTU operations, particularly and in the issuance of relevant circulars such as funding and inclusion of ACTU members in relevant committees, posting of heads of ACTU to respective MDAs, conducting advocacy visits as well as holding peer review sessions.

He asked ACTUs to maximise its potential, while calling on the OHCSF to set up a committee to assist the ICPC in enforcing MDAs’ compliance on the establishment and operations of ACTU, which, in the long run, will help to improve the image of the service and the overall fight against corruption in the polity.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE  

Insecurity: 5,000 Nigerian Children May Die Of Starvation By October —UN

THE United Nations has raised the alarm that no fewer than 5,000 children in war-ravaged northeastern Nigeria will die of starvation in the next two months unless the world raises the necessary funds for intervention…

My London Meetings With Obasanjo, Tinubu, Atiku, Obi In Nigeria’s Interest —Wike

RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday said that his London meetings with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were in the interest of the nation…

Bandits Stole My Chickens, Cut Off My Arms —Zamfara Man

A victim of a bandits attack, Ismail Mohammed, has explained how his life took a turn for the worse with the loss of his arms….