The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again received commendation for continuously designing strategies for re-orienting Nigerians on and against corruption.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr. Aminu Aliyu Bisalla gave this commendation recently during the inauguration and induction of the newly reconstituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
Mr. Bisalla who was represented at the programme by the Director, Weight and Measures of the Ministry, Mr. Oluyinka Sikuade, stated that “The establishment of the ICPC has gone a long way in making a difference in the behaviour of the Nigerian populace and the unsavory culture of brazen criminality”. He noted that the newly-constituted members of the ACTU were officers of proven integrity and who were ready to discharge their duties effectively.
The Permanent Secretary enjoined the team to work hard to justify the confidence and trust reposed adding that they should count themselves fortunate to have been selected to serve in the Unit.
In his goodwill message at the programme, the Honourable Chairman, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta emphasized that the holding of the event was “indeed a step in the right direction” as it would assist in securing the public mobilization of the Ministry. Mr. Nta who was represented by Mr. Justin Kuatsea of the Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department (CMED), ICPC, reiterated the fact that the inauguration and institutionalisation of the ACTU was intended to “serve as a constant reminder to everyone to carry on the crusade against the scourge of corruption”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the newly-constituted ACTU, Engr. Muhammed Kwali, noted that since the birth of ACTU, “We have gone from a world in which the word “corruption” was not even whispered, to a world in which preventing corruption has become an anchor for good governance”.
Buttressing his assertion, Engr. Kwali said that it is not only that the present government gives increasing priority to transparency and accountability, adding that this is not mere rhetoric.
Mr. Justin Kuatsea and Mr. Tanko Abdullahi of CMED, ICPC thereafter delivered 2 papers respectively. Mr. Kuatsea delivered a Paper titled “ACTU Standing Order and Concept of ACTU in MDAs”, while Mr. Abdullahi delivered a Paper titled “Elements and Gamut of Investigation”.