Anti-Corruption Crusade to Institutionalise Good Governance

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebeyi, has affirmed that the Anti-corruption crusade of the Present Administration of president Mohammadu Buhari is premised on the quest to institutionalize good governance as a panacea for inclusive growth and development in the pursuit of the Government Change Agenda.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources Management, Mr. AbduIrahim Ajibola Ibrahim, made this assertion in Abuja while declaring open a one-day Sensitization programme Organized by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit, of the Ministry, on the Theme: Anti-Corruption, Transparency and whistle blowing.

He emphasized that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Circular Ref. No OHCSF/192/24 of 2nd October, 2001 specified the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUS) in every Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS). Also section 7 (1) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Act 2000 Specified “Standing Order”  and rules which re-enforced the functions and power of ICPC to monitor, enforce and prosecute offenders of anti-Corrupt activities.

In his words “ As you are no doubt aware, this administration at inception adopted the principle of openness, probity, self-discipline, transparency and accountability in the efforts to positively change the Ministries, Department and Agencies’’.

Speaking further, Adebiyi said that Government’s crusade of National Re-birth and social regeneration was necessitated by the need to urgently correct the damage done to institutions of government over years, “This administration has successfully diagnosed the bane and has provided the required legal frame work to combat corruption at all levels in the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) with the aim of bringing about a new social, economic and political order”

According to him, Culture is one of the most difficult things to change, He therefore called on the staff of the Ministry to have a change of attitude through advocacy, awareness creation programme, enlightenment and embrace new ethics and standards, so that a new culture can emerge, adding that, we must perceive and acknowledge the danger that corruption poses to development.

Earlier in her remarks, the chairman of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit, Mrs. Caroline Hata affirmed the present administration’s efforts in fighting the cankerworm called corruption with all vigor.

According to her, the passage and establishment of the Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission Act by the previous regime underscores the seriousness of government in the fight against corruption in the (MDAs) and in Nigeria as a whole.

She stressed that, Mr. President is not relenting in his efforts because he sees corruption as a virus that threatens the very fabric of our society. She therefore called on all members of staff of the Ministry to show concern as it may endanger the future of the Country, if not addressed by all.

Samuel Olowookere

Deputy Director (Press)

December 19, 2017

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