General News
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on stakeholders to promote the contents of National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP), and Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking initiative (CEPTi).
The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, made the appeal on Tuesday in Sokoto at a one-day sensitisation dialogue organised by ICPC in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Owasanoye said the participants were considered important toward the full implementation of the ICPC’s projects in recognition of their proximity to people.
Represented by Mrs Hannatu Mohammed, a Board Member, the ICPC chairman said the efforts was part of the commission’s drive toward the emergence of a new and better Nigeria.
“Therefore, as leaders closer to the grassroots people your pivotal roles in the fight against corruption, demonstrated in the implementation of our strategies are highly invaluable.
“As such your various roles and how to support these platforms were expantiated in details at the sensitisation dialogue proper,” he said.
The ICPC chairman further thanked the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his fatherly role in ensuring the acceptability of the initiatives.
He commented the Sokoto State Government and the NOA for their support and cooperation toward the success of the dialogue.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who was represented by Alhaji Jabbi Kilgore, the District Head of Kilgore, said the Sultanate Council is fully aware of the ICPC’s project and would continue to be part of the exercise.
He appreciated ICPC for their commitment to anti-corruption fight in the country, adding that the commission’s activities will no doubt aid in achieving the required goal in fighting corruption.
“This activity will moreover address the security agencies commitment toward fighting insecurity, indiscipline as well as behavioral change among the society,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, also appreciated ICPC for its commitment in fighting corruption.
Maigwandu, represented by Alhaji Shehu Garba, the Director Administration in the ministry, assured that the state government would continue to support ICPC toward the success of its mandate.
Alhaji Mustapha Shehu, the Chairman, Sokoto North Local Government Council, who spoke on behalf of the 23 LGAs chairmen, said the dialogue came at the right time.
Shehu, who is also the state chapter Chairman of ALGON, urged the National Assembly to enact a law in which implementation of constituency projects must involve states and LGAs.
“This is in order to make the projects more beneficial to the general public without any discrimination of which political party one belongs to,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Garba Idris, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commission, ICPC Sokoto Office, stated that the gesture is in order to sensitise the society on the ownership of government project executed in their constituencies.
“The programme is aimed at fighting corruption by sensitising the stakeholders in order to fight corruption in public procurement and achieve value for money in government projects,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the training include local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). (NAN)
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Tags: Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu Alhaji Jabbi Kilgore Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III Alhaji Shehu Garba CEPTi Garba Idris Hannatu Mohammed ICPC NEIP Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye
