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Why anti-graft battle is difficult, by ICPC chief
- By Tunji Omofoye - posted on Friday 5th February 2010 The fight against corruption in the society may not be won unless the citizens are prepared to adopt a change of orientation, according to the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development, Osogbo yesterday, he noted that the anti-corruption crusade must be a collective fight.
Justice Ayoola who was represented by the head of the Osun State office, Mr Basil Momoh, observed that corruption within the public service was deep rooted and widespread and included common occurrences of delayed files, making wrong claims, truancy, favouritism and abuse of office.
The ICPC chief noted that the search for a corruption-free polity might remain an illusion unless the public service was insulated against the temptations associated with the system.
His words: “The crusade against corruption cannot be won by leaders who say one thing in public and do something else behind, nor by nations and societies that decry corruption and yet tolerate it in one form or another. We must be resolved and resolute in our determination to ensure the success of the crusade.”
He explained that the ACTU was established as a deliberate effort to monitor organisations and personnel in compliance with the anti-corruption policies of government and to maintain linkage and synergy with the ICPC.
According to him, the acts of misconduct that would be handled by the ACTU include suppression of records, false claims, dishonesty and falsification of records.
“Other forms of misconduct within the provisions of the public service rules are still regarded as administrative wrongs and are within the competence of the disciplinary committee in any particular government agency to handle,” he said.
Such forms of misconduct, the ICPC chief noted, included absence from duty without leave, refusal to proceed on transfer, negligence, serious financial embarrassment and failure to keep appropriate records for the purpose of financial gain at the expense of the government.
Members of the ACTU include I. S. Ifajinmi, I. O. Shonibare, H. A. Adesola and L. O. Ogunleye. The Chairman of the ACTU, Ifajinmi, assured that the team would work hard to ensure a better society for the nation.
He, therefore, sought the cooperation of the workers and staff of the ministry, stressing that the unit had a lot of issues to contend with.
Ifajinmi assured the staff that members of the unit would not disappoint them and urge them to freely associate with those appointed without undue fear.
He said: “We have to start from somewhere. I will be embarrassed if most of my friends run away from me because of this appointment. I believe what is important is that things must be done the proper way”.
News Source: The Guardian
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