Presidential Villa anti-corruption unit worries about own integrity

Amidst growing allegation of corruption inside the presidency, the ICPC has moved to ensure that Villa state house officials give account and take responsibility

The commission inaugurated the State House Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit, on Thursday in Abuja.

State House Permanent Secretary Umar said the inauguration signified commitment by ACTU officials to be made scapegoats if they are found wanting as a team.

”We are making this commitment today and hold ourselves to high standards of behaviour, so that ACTU doesn’t have to worry itself about looking at the side of management.”

Congratulating the unit members, Umar said he expected them to assist the institution to conform by way of continuous advocacy, reporting and where necessary, enforcement and sanction.

“The subject of good governance is a straightforward one and it’s all about playing the game by the rules.

“For me, that’s the bottom line. Government activities are governed by rules and at entry point, every one of us around this table was given basic training.

“That includes understanding the Public Service Rules, as well as the Financial Regulations, and every one of us ought to, and is expected to apply the rules and be guided by them in all our transactions,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of ICPC, who was represented by Abbia Udofia, Director, System Studies in the organisation, said the creation of ACTUs in Ministries, Departments and Agencies was initiated by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in 2001.

He explained that ACTUs was part of preventive methods in monitoring, identifying and addressing lapses in the operational systems of government establishments.

”The inauguration of the State House ACTU, is a further testament and commitment of the State House management to being at the forefront of driving the broader anti-corruption initiatives of the Federal Government,” he said.

The seven newly inaugurated members, who cut across departments of the State House, include: Gaji Usman, Chairman in Administration Department; Hadiza Haruna-Tanko, Finance and Account; Ubi Sunday, Procurement; and Ayoola Olurin, State House Clinic.

Others are Omezi Onyema, Finance and Account, Hadiza Musa, Office of the Vice President and Usman Mohammed, Maintenance.