His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, on Thursday commissioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) prototype office complex located at Plot JQ/4 Bisala Road, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Speaking at the event, the Governor praised ICPC, the Nigerian first Anti-Corruption agency, for the professionalism and diligence it had brought to bear in the conduct of its affairs.
Ugwuanyi lauded the track record of ICPC stating that he was happy to identify with the foremost national institution on this auspicious occasion.
He further noted that in the past years, his administration had leveraged the due diligence and competence of ICPC in the conduct of government business through advisory service and anti-corruption training for public officers and top civil servants in the state.
This, he recognized, had positively impacted the state compliance with due process imperative in its governance processes.
“We rejoice with ICPC as it formerly commences operation in its new prototype office building for Enugu State after 17 years of operation from its former rented temporary office building,” he remarked.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Hon. Chairman, ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, OFR, described the prototype office complex as the first of its kind in the South-East geo-political zone, adding that the event was historic and a tribute to the fight against corruption in Enugu state and a testament to what can be done accomplished when state governments cooperate with and complement the efforts of the federal government and its agencies in realizing their mandates within their areas of coverage.
Owasanoye, who was represented by ICPC Board Member, Hon. Obiora Samuel Igwedibia, said with the approval of the prototype office complex in 2018, the current board in 2021 considered it necessary to site the fifth prototype building in Enugu State.
He appealed all stakeholders especially the security community i.e., the military, paramilitary and security agencies to improve their synergies with the Commission and other anti-corruption agencies to rid the country of corruption.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, represented by Senator Frank Ibezim, the Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, represented by Hon. Ifeanyi Chris Azubuogu, and Senator, Chukwuka Utazi, while the Secretary to the Commission, Prof. Musa Usman, gave the vote of thanks.
The programme was attended by security chiefs, Board, Management and staff of ICPC and sister anti-corruption agencies.