Henceforth, it will not be a tea party for any staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, found to be involved in sharp practices, as the commission firms up a working partnership with the ICPC.
Already, the NDDC has set up the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. At the inauguration of members of the unit, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described ACTU as a critical mechanism for promoting ethical conduct, preventing corruption and strengthening public confidence in the Commission.
Ogbuku, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, charged the new members of the anti-corruption unit to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ensure that there was no room for corruption in the Commission.
He noted that corruption was a global challenge and urged the ACTU to strengthen internal systems that promote transparency and accountability, while also urging the commission’s internal audit department to work closely with the unit to reinforce accountability across all departments and ensure the Commission maintained its positive public image.
“As members of the ACTU, your integrity must remain unquestionable. If those entrusted with fighting corruption become compromised, everything is at stake. You must lead by example and uphold the values of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Ogbuku expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the ICPC for collaborating with and supporting the NDDC, noting that the ACTU members were carefully selected for their competence and integrity. He affirmed that the current NDDC Board and Management remained committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by entrenching transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the Niger Delta region.
Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, commended the NDDC for inaugurating the new ACTU executives, describing the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening institutional integrity and promoting transparency in public service.
Represented by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for the Rivers and Bayelsa Zonal Office, Mrs Ekere Usiere, the chairman explained that ACTU was established in 2001 by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to serve as an internal mechanism for identifying and addressing systemic weaknesses that could encourage corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He urged the committee members to discharge their responsibilities with fairness, professionalism and integrity, cautioning them against witch-hunting or abusing the confidence reposed in them.
In her acceptance remarks, Ebong, pledged to build a strong bridge between the ideals of the ICPC and the Commission’s day-to-day operations.
She said the unit would focus on strengthening systems rather than policing staff, adding that ACTU would promote ethics education, continuous staff sensitisation, open communication and collaboration with all directorates, departments, units and state offices to prevent corruption before it occurs.
