By Maryam Garba Hassan
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development have inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), with a renewed commitment to wage war against graft, through the promotion of probity, transparency and accountability in the conduct of government businesses.
Speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Habiba Lawal, said addressing the issues and concerns of over 70% of the country’s population under the purview of the ministry consisting of women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly could only be achieved through prudent and transparent management of resources.
Dr. Lawal, who lamented that corruption has given the country a bad name, expressed optimism that the on-going multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue by government will give a more positive image of the country.
“As part of on-going efforts to re-focus, re-invigorate and sustain the anti-corruption campaign, ACTU is one of the Units the Federal Civil Service is paying greater attention to. It is being refocused to ensure that services are provided to Nigerians in a timely and transparent manner.
Administering the Oath of Allegiance to the members on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Nta Ekpo, a top official of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Justin Kuatse, said “our mandate to eliminate corruption in Nigeria is hinged on an approach which combines the punitive, preventive and enlightenment methods.
Ekpo pointed out that although ACTUs lacked prosecutorial powers, they were expected to conduct preliminary investigations on petitions bordering on corruption and make recommendations to both the management of the ministry and ICPC.
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