The need to collectively uphold integrity in the fight against corruption has been advocated by the Director General/Chief Executive, National Metallurgical Development Centre, Engr Prof Linus Asuquo.
The DG/CE who was represented by the Director and Head of Department, Analytical Services of the agency ,Dada, Emily Bola made the assertion during the Inauguration/ Induction of members of Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit(ACTU) at NMDC Multi- Media Centre recently.
Prof Asuquo said that for each agency of government to achieve its mandate and contribute its quota to national development , there should be conscientious and collective effort in blocking loopholes that give oxygen to corrupt practices in government establishments.
The DG said that NMDC which, is a research and development centre saddled with the mandate of adding value to all minerals and metals in Nigeria can only actualize its vision of becoming the global center of excellence in Minerals and Metals value addition if it consciously alienate itself from any corrupt practices hence the need for the establishment of ACTU as a Watch Dog at the Centre.
The NMDC Helmsman informed the audience that ICPC in recent time through her Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard rated NMDC 64% for its compliance in ethical and integrity standard.
He said that the Centre is poised to earn far above the former score in the next rating exercise.
Prof Asuquo informed the representative of Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, and her team that the nominated ACTU members were men and women of proven integrity who were carefully selected to stir the boat of the miniature ICPC office at the Centre.
Asuquo assured ICPC that his management will continue to fight the Muster, corruption through giving maximum support to ACTU to excel in its responsibilities.
The NMDC Boss maintained that fighting corruption should not be an option in MDAs rather should be as important as the oxygen one breaths
In her response, the representative of the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner as well as Head , Public Education and Enlightenment ,
Mary Otabo gave the background of ICPC Act of 2000 and overview of the directive of Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation vide circular OHCSF/MSO/192/94 of 16th April, 2003, mandating the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTU) in all Ministries, Department and Agencies.
Otabo outlined and gave detailed explanation of some of the functions of ACTU which include
Receiving complaints or reports concerning corrupt practices or attempts/conspiracy to commit corruption within the MDA.
Conducting appropriate preliminary/interim investigation and report cases to ICPC where necessary.
Identifying corruption-prone areas
Examining the organisation’s systems, practices and procedures to identify loopholes that may facilitate fraud or corruption.
Making recommendations to management and ICPC on how identified weaknesses can be corrected and corruption risks reduced.
Promoting transparency and accountability
Sensitizing and educating staff
by organizing seminars, lectures and awareness programmes to educate employees about bribery, corruption, ethical standards and related offences etcetera.
According to Otabo the main essence of establishing ACTU in MDAs is to prevent corruptions before they occur, thereby promoting more effective and transparent public service delivery.
The representative of the RACC while encouraging the nominated ACTU members charged them to leaverage on the laid down rules and regulation guiding their operations.
She made it unequivocally clear that any MDA that refuses to fund ACTU or gag its operations is assumed to be hiding skeletons in its cupboard and by that act could be prone to full investigation by ICPC.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration/Induction of NMDC five- member ACTU Committee Chaired by Temitope Alonge (Mrs) by Lorngee Solomon Esq, Head, Legal Services, ICPC, Benue State, Zonal Command.
Again the presentation of two papers by ICPC team members and the presentation of copies of ACTU Operational Booklet and Corruption Index Guide to the representative of the DG/CE by the Representative of RACC.
In his vote of thanks, the HoD , Human Resources Management, Nwosu, Uwaezuoke, thanked the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation( OHCSF) and ICPC for ensuring that public service is purged of corrupt tendencies through the establishment of ACTU in all MDAs.
He pledged the corporation of the Management and staff of NMDC in ensuring that ACTU at the Centre becomes first among equal in the country.
Sunny Eweama,
PRO/ Head, Press& Public Relations
NMDC, Jos
