The Niger Delta Development Commission has reactivated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in a renewed push to strengthen accountability, transparency and ethical standards across the interventionist agency.
The Punch reported that the commission said the initiative reflects its resolve to entrench good governance and improve public trust in its operations throughout the Niger Delta.
The ACTU was inaugurated at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who described the unit as a key instrument for promoting ethical conduct, preventing corruption and enhancing confidence in the commission.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledei Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku, represented by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye, urged members of the newly inaugurated unit to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ensure that corruption had no place within the commission.
He noted that corruption remained a global challenge and called on ACTU, the internal anti-corruption structure of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, to reinforce internal processes that encourage openness and accountability.
The managing director also directed the commission’s Internal Audit Department to collaborate closely with the unit to strengthen accountability across departments and sustain the agency’s positive public image.
“As members of the ACTU, your integrity must remain unquestionable. If those entrusted with fighting corruption become compromised, everything is at stake.
“You must lead by example and uphold the values of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Ogbuku also appreciated the Chairman of the ICPC for the commission’s continued support and collaboration with the NDDC, noting that the ACTU members were selected based on their competence and integrity.
He added that the current board and management remained committed to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu through transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, applauded the NDDC for inaugurating a new ACTU leadership, describing the development as an important step towards deepening institutional integrity and promoting transparency in public service.
Represented by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for the Rivers and Bayelsa Zonal Office, Mrs Ekere Usiere, Aliyu explained that ACTU was established in 2001 through a partnership between the ICPC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to identify and address institutional weaknesses that could encourage corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He urged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, fairness and integrity, warning them against witch-hunting or betraying the trust placed in them.
In her acceptance speech, the Chairperson of the NDDC ACTU, Mrs Deinma Ebong, pledged to strengthen the link between the anti-corruption ideals of the ICPC and the commission’s daily operations.
She explained that the unit would prioritise strengthening institutional systems instead of policing employees, adding that it would promote ethics education, regular staff sensitisation, open communication and collaboration with directorates, departments, units and state offices to prevent corruption before it occurs.
Ebong thanked the NDDC Managing Director and the commission’s management for the confidence reposed in the committee and appealed to members of staff to support the unit in advancing transparency and accountability within the commission.
