The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Thursday, inaugurated and inducted members of the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA).
Speaking at the inauguration, chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, who was represented by the acting director, System Study and Review Department, Mr Olusegun Adigun, said ACTU will be a veritable tool in ensuring that staff of the ministry and members of the unit are diligent, responsive and dedicated to their duties.
He said: “The creation of ACTU in MDAs was initiated by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2001, to serve as in-house check mechanism in MDAs against corrupt practices and unethical practices.
“This ministry has a vision to have social protection systems that are protective, humane, inclusive and general welfare of the people. Therefore, it has the duty of not only being alive to its responsibility, but must also ensure that staff and members are diligent, responsive and dedicated to their duties.
“The ACTU will be a veritable tool in the achievement of this vision if allowed to effectively discharge its functions. Therefore, I must commend the permanent secretary for his initiative and support for the inauguration.
“It is hoped that with this inauguration, the unit will be empowered to deliver on its mandate which includes periodic sensitisation of staff on and against corruption; examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption proffering solutions; developing and reviewing code of ethics for staff and ensuring compliance with same; monitoring budget implementation of the Commission; coordinating the deployment of the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) and undertaking preliminary investigations into complaints/reports received, amongst others.”
The permanent secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, said the inauguration is a testimony and commitment of the ministry to do things properly, adding that corruption is an anti-development and anti-progress menace that should be eradicated in the country.”
