An Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) has been inaugurated for Kwali Area Council by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in order to promote transparent and accountable processes and procedures as well as tackle corrupt practices in the council.
The establishment of the ACTU is in line with one of the functions of the Commission as encapsulated in its preventive mandate. Mr. Justin Kuatsea of the Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department (CMED) of the Commission who oversaw the inauguration, gave an overview of the ACTU Standing Order and stated that ACTU was an initiative of ICPC created in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to serve as an in-house check mechanism within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He added that ACTU was also conceived to monitor, identify and address the ethical lapses in MDAs’ systems.
Mr. Kuatsea then urged the new members to strive for excellence at all times. “Cleanse your area council yourself and ensure that it is free from all forms of corruption,” he charged.
He also appealed to the Council’s Management to provide adequate funding for the sustenance of the unit; provide suitable office accommodation; and an environment that is conducive to effective work as expected.
Finally, in his acceptance speech, Alhaji Lawal Morof, Head of Personnel Management of the Council acknowledged the fact that the task before his team was a serious one that required the cooperation of management and staff of the Area Council.
He noted that the success of the ACTU would mean success for the Council and indeed the nation at large. Alhaji Morof also promised that his team would do their best in ensuring that the Council was made free of all forms of corruption.