The National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has set up a five-man committee as part of efforts to combat corruption among its staff.
DAILY POST reports that the five-man committee, known as the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), was inaugurated by the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr Mohammed Mohammed Aminu, and the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the ICPC in Edo State, Ebenezer Shogunle.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Mohammed Mohammed Aminu said the committee was aimed at ensuring that funds allocated to the board by the government were judiciously expended for the purposes for which they were meant.
According to him, the money collected from Nigerians as taxes and other revenues by the Federal Government is used to fund the activities of the board, stressing that there must be accountability.
“The way and manner we use the funds must be in line with the Procurement Act, must be in line with the financial regulation,” he said.
The NABTEB boss, who described the members of the committee as trusted, qualified and tested, urged them to monitor staff compliance and ensure that their activities were in accordance with the Procurement Act and financial regulations.
He urged them to assess workers and write reports objectively and not out of emotions.
He said the members, who were nominated from various departments, were those who could “talk true to power” no matter whose ox was gored or their positions in the establishment.
While stating that the members of ACTU were people who could face anybody and talk to him or her, Aminu noted that management staff of the board were not parallel managers in the system and also needed to be checked.
“There are some of the infractions from the management as well. Their role is advisory. There are some staff who have some complaints.
“So, your staff working under you, they are human beings, they are not your slaves. Be kind and let us be nice to them. We will punish when there is a need to do so,” he added.
In his address, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the ICPC in Edo State, Ebenezer Shogunle, stated that the inauguration of ACTU demonstrated the examination board’s commitment to the Federal Government’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption.
Shogunle, who was represented by Odogwu Preye, Deputy Director, System Study and Review, said the initiative was in line with the principles of transparency and accountability in public service.
He posited that effective ICPC operations could contribute to better governance, improved public trust and responsible management of national resources.
He noted that the success of the anti-corruption effort required cooperation between the ICPC, government institutions, civil society, the private sector and Nigerian citizens.
Giving an overview of the duties of members of ACTU, Wale Falola, Assistant Director, Legal Services, ICPC, said members of the committee were to monitor compliance in the establishment, including issues relating to suppression of records, false claims and corruption.
Others, he said, included embezzlement, dishonesty and falsification of records, and that members were expected to make reports on such acts as they constitute offences under the ICPC Act.