The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged the inaugurated Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) to live by example.
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, ICPC gave the advice at the inauguration and induction of NSC ACTU members in Lagos on Friday.
Owasanoye, represented by the ICPC Lagos State Resident Commissioner, Mr Kabiru Elelu, urged the new NSC ACTU chairman and members to ensure that all the mandates of ICPC were kept to the best of their abilities.
“The creation of ACTU is a directive from Federal Government since 2001 for all Ministries, Department and Agencies of government.
“The ACTU members should be above board, live by example. It is expected that they will do all that the ICPC does.
“ICPC is not only about enforcement, it investigates, report or violation of corruption and whatever vices, charge offenders to court where necessary, but it has a unique duty of preventing corruption from happening.
“It educates the public against corruption and these are explicitly stated in the ICPC Act,” he said.
He urged ACTU members to carry out system study of practices and procedures of managing director operations with a view of detecting those areas prone to corruption and recommending ways to prevent it from happening.
“We all know the effect of corruption and it is a great factor to where we are in the country today, in terms of the economy, how we are living or security challenge that we have.
“For these reasons, members must lead by example. To have been found worthy of membership, you should know that the nomination was not automatic.
“All your curriculum vitae was submitted to ICPC, who screened and asked questions before they agreed you all being members of ACTU,” he said.
Also, Mr Oliver Chukwu, Chairman ACTU, Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT), noted that the ministry was fully in support of the inauguration and whatever it takes to support the fight against corruption.
“On my own part as the chairman of ACTU, FMOT, I also support this and I call for the training of members as the fight for corruption is not an easy thing.
“Very soon they will be doing system audit. This is not to expose anybody but to find out what you are not doing well. If there are loopholes in the process, they will correct it.
“They are rendering assistance to the council, it is better they do it and prevent what will be a problem,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, NSC, while congratulating the inductees challenge them to always remember to be honourable and not give or take bribe.
“This programme is to inaugurate the Shippers’ Council staff who had been cleared and approved by the ICPC to become members of ACTU in the council.
“You will agree with me that in the public service, government employees are regarded as representatives of the government of the day and therefore is expected to manifest the attitude of zero tolerance anti-corruption as advocated by the government.
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“Our mission statement that promotes an effective and efficient transport economic regulatory system that will contribute to economic growth of the nation has imposed on us additional requirement of higher integrity in order to achieve our mission of becoming the nation’s foremost regulator.
“I congratulate the inductees and remind them that the task ahead of them is enormous and I have no doubt that they will deliver on this additional assignment with trust given to them,” he said.
Mrs Adaku Okam, newly inaugurated NSC ACTU Chairman, assured NSC and ICPC, under which framework ACTU draws its order and the supervisory ministry, FMOT, that they are together.
Okam noted that their togetherness was not only by ACTU activities but by nationwide fight against corruption which was also a global agenda.
“The newly inaugurated NSC ACTU pledges to serve diligently at all times and in the spirit of commitment to the common goals and in accordance to the principles of NSC and ICPC.
“This is a great opportunity for us and an enormous task. I believe we will bring special perspective on ACTU activities and sustain a corruption-free organisation. We can do it.
The NSC ACTU members are Mrs Nkechi Emeruwa, Secretary, Mr Zubairu Muhammed, Mr John Bongko, Mr Hamzat Maina, Mrs Habibat Aminu, Mrs Oriyomi Ige.
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