The National Productivity Centre (NPC) was set up by law to accelerate socio-economic growth and development in Nigeria through productivity improvement. This lofty target cannot be achieved by the Centre if its environment tolerates opaque and corrupt practices.
It is against this backdrop that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) inaugurated new members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of NPC in Abuja, recently to ensure transparency and accountability in the operations and practices of the Centre.
The Unit, among other functions, is mandated to carry out the sensitization of staff against corruption, and to serve as an internal regulatory mechanism for propelling the Centre towards achieving its mission of institutionalizing productivity culture in the citizenry for Nigeria’s overall growth and development objectives.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, ICPC’s acting Chairman, Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, who was represented by ACS Ophelia Onyeka of Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department, underscored the importance of ACTUs saying that they promote professionalism, probity and accountability in the operations of government establishments.
Dr. Abubakar highlighted some of the duties of ACTU such as the examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and proffering solutions; the development of a Code of Ethics/Conduct for staff and ensuring compliance; the monitoring of budget implementation as well as the conduct of preliminary investigation into complaints and reports.
The acting Chairman also called on members of staff of the agency to imbibe a culture of transparency and accountability saying that such would help boost people’s confidence in the Centre.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Director-General of NPC, Dr. Kashim Yunusa Akor, pointed out that the establishment was doing everything within its powers to ensure that corruption does not find a breeding ground within its system.
He added that “Ethics and morality are basic norms of every decent society, and the bedrock on which a wholesome, efficient, just and prosperous entity can be built. National Productivity Centre management has therefore strived through deliberate actions and policies to ensure that these virtues are not only canvassed but also exhibited in the Centre.”
In her acceptance speech, the Chairperson of the newly inaugurated members of ACTU, Mrs. Obi Nkechi Virginia, pledged to be vigilant and live up to the ideals of ACTU.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of allegiance on the inductees after which the event dissolved into a technical session.