The National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) in Jos, Nigeria, has established an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to promote integrity and transparency within the organization. The Director-General of NMDC, Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo, emphasized the importance of collective integrity in eradicating corruption in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He was represented by Mrs. Emily Bola Dada, Director and Head of Department, Analytical Services.
Prof. Asuquo stated that MDAs can only achieve their mandates and contribute to national development by blocking loopholes that fuel corrupt practices. He noted that NMDC, as a research and development centre, can only realize its vision of becoming a global centre of excellence by distancing itself from corrupt practices. The ACTU was established as a watchdog to monitor and prevent corrupt activities within the organization.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently rated NMDC 64 per cent for compliance with ethical and integrity standards. The centre aims to surpass this score in the next rating. Prof. Asuquo disclosed that the members of the ACTU were carefully selected based on their proven integrity and would serve as a miniature ICPC office at the centre.
The representative of the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mrs. Mary Otabo, provided background information on the ICPC Act 2000 and the directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation mandating the establishment of ACTUs in all MDAs. She outlined the functions of ACTU, including receiving complaints on corrupt practices, conducting preliminary investigations, and reporting cases to ICPC where necessary.
Mrs. Otabo emphasized that the essence of ACTU is to prevent corruption before it occurs and promote transparent public service delivery. She warned that any MDA that refuses to fund ACTU or restricts its operations would be assumed to be hiding skeletons and could be prone to full investigation by ICPC.
The inauguration and induction of the five-member ACTU committee, chaired by Mrs. Temitope Alonge, were conducted by Mr. Lorngee Solomon, Head of Legal Services, ICPC, Benue State Zonal Command. The event also included the presentation of papers and copies of the ACTU Operational Booklet and Corruption Index Guide.
The Head of Human Resources Management, Mr. Uwaezuoke Nwosu, expressed gratitude to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the ICPC for their efforts in purging the public service of corrupt tendencies through ACTU. The event was announced in a statement signed by Sunny Eweama, Head of Press and Public Relations, NMDC, Jos.
Key points
- NMDC aims to surpass its 64 per cent compliance rating with ethical and integrity standards in the next ICPC rating.
- The ACTU unit was established to monitor and prevent corrupt activities within the NMDC organization.
- The ICPC Act 2000 and the directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation mandate the establishment of ACTUs in all MDAs.
