The Permanent Secretary of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali has stated that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is committed to stemming corrupt practices in the Ministry with the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
The Permanent Secretary represented by the Director of Human Resource in the Ministry, Abdullahi Aliyu stated this during the inauguration and induction of the new Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) members in the Ministry on Wednesday.
According to Alkali, the Ministry is in full support of all the activities of the ACTU in the Ministry saying, “We respond to requests for information from ICPC promptly and we make sure that we support the activities and programmes of ACTU without delay.”
He said that the Ministry was also supporting the ACTU in sensitization and awareness creation in order to fight corrupt practices in the Ministry contained in a statement released by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Blessing Lere-Adams.
Explaining that the Ministry has done a lot in support of the ACTU activities, he said: “we have a very active Chairman and Team at the Ministry and I will not be exaggerating if I say the Ministry’s ACTU is one of the most active in Federal Government MDAs.
He commended ICPC and assured that the Ministry would not relent in its efforts and drive in fighting corrupt practices in the Ministry in particular and Nigeria in general through established viable platforms like the ACTU.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye represented by Mrs. Lasis Mutiat stated that ACTUs in MDAs were initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation as an in-house check mechanism to assist management of MDAs in corruption prevention and to entrench ethical principles within the organizations.
According to the ICPC Chairman the inauguration and induction of the ACTU in the Ministry was undoubtedly a strong testament and commitment of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to supporting and implementing the anti-corruption initiatives of the Federal Government.
Listing the functions of the ACTU in the Ministry, he said: “The main duties of ACTU are to undertake periodic sensitization of staff on and against corruption, examine systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and proffer solutions and develop a Code of Ethics/Conduct for staff to ensure compliance with the same.
Continuing, he listed other duties including monitoring budget implementation, implementation of the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard as well as investigating complaints or reports received from the staff of the Ministry.
Giving his Vote of Thanks, the Deputy-Director/Chairman of ACTU of the Ministry, Barrister Sunny Iyang thanked God for the opportunity given to them in the committee to serve in the capacity as an agent fighting against corruption in the Ministry, saying that corruption is a deadly disease ravaging the entire nation.
He said: “It is worthy to be entrusted with the responsibility to fight corruption in the system. Our appointment is a litmus test for our integrity in the fight against corruption and we will help the Ministry and ICPC to fight this dreaded ill of the society called corruption to an end.”
The oath of allegiance which was administered to the newly inaugurated members by Barrister Jennifer Ode on behalf of the ICPC Chairman charged them to live above board as the inauguration and induction of today 23rd of November, 2022 signify their journey for the three years’ tenure as members of the Ministry’s ACTU.
The chairman also added that the tenure was renewable for another three years after serving the first tenure in office.
