The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN has said that the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) requires management buy-in to guarantee the enabling environment for it to function effectively.
Speaking at the inauguration of ACTU of National Iron Ore Mining Company( NIOMCO) Limited, Itakpe, Kogi State, held recently by the Kogi State office of the Commission, the Chairman, who was represented by the Commission’s Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Kogi State Office, Mr. Ulu Okoro James, said without the support of management, ACTUs would not succeed in curbing corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
Prof. Owasanoye appreciated the Chief Executive of the Mining Company, principal officers, members of the ACTU and staff of the company for receiving the ICPC team and making the inauguration/induction possible.
While speaking on the establishment of ACTU, Owasanoye said, ‘Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) derives its power from sections 71 and 70 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, where the Chairman of the Commission is vested with the power to issue administrative orders to be called ‘Standing Orders.’
He went on further to explain that the ACTU is an initiative of the ICPC approved by the Federal Government to serve as an in-house check mechanism for corruption prevention in MDAs since October, 2001.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Augustus C. Nkechika, Sole Administrator/Chief Executive, NIOMCO delightfully welcomed the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of ICPC, Kogi State, and his team to the Company, and to the inauguration.
He assured the ICPC’s Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of full cooperation in carrying out its mandate on prohibition and prevention of corruption in his organization.
He also assured the chairman of ICPC that the unit (ACTU) will succeed in its assignment.
He wished the commissioner and his team journey mercies on their way back to their destination.
Mr. Dennis N. Okoro Esq. administered the oath of office to the new members of ACTU. A lecture titled ‘An Overview of the Standing Order for the Operations of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in MDAs’ was delivered by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner. The lecture highlighted the Establishment, Status, Composition, Tenure of office, and the duties of the ACTU members in MDAs. A second lecture titled ‘Preliminary Investigation’ aimed at equipping the members with knowledge for conducting preliminary investigation once a report of wrongdoing is forwarded to the ACTU for action was delivered by Assistant Commissioner Mr. Kwasau G. Y.
In his vote of thanks, Barrister T. D. Akpur, ACTU Chairman, NIOMCO on behalf of the management of the unit expressed gratitude to ICPC for reposing confidence in them and assured the Commission that they would do their best to uphold the ideals of the Anti-Corruption agency and he also stated that they would do their job without fear or favour.