ICPC Advises NDDC Staff On Anti-Graft Laws

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), has advised staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to guard against falling foul of anti-graft laws by keeping abreast of the relevant statutes guiding the conduct of public servants.

The ICPC Zonal Commissioner for Rivers and Bayelsa states, Mrs. Ekere Usiere, gave the admonition during a Workforce Sensitisation Exercise organized by the NDDC at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

The statement quoted Usiere as commending the NDDC and its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), for sponsoring the sensitization exercise under the theme: “Understanding the Offences and Penalties Under the ICPC Act 2000.”

Usiere acknowledged the critical role played by the NDDC in intervening to solve the socio-economic challenges of the Niger Delta region, noting that it was necessary to undertake periodic sensitisation of staff as an antidote to corrupt practices.

In his remarks, the NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stressed the need to always take measures to tackle corrupt practices and entrench transparency in public service. He observed that the sensitization exercise was part of the efforts to enhance the service delivery of the commission.

The NDDC boss, who was represented by the Director II, Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Obayelu, noted that the new Board and Management of the commission would spare no effort to ensure that ethics and values were maintained in the interventionist agency.

He charged the staff to imbibe honesty and transparency in the discharge of their duties to the commission and the people of the Niger Delta region.

In a keynote presentation, the Head Legal Department of ICPC in Rivers State, Dr Agada Akogwu, urged the NDDC to strengthen its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit to effectively serve as the conscience of the commission.

He said that the unit should set up a system that would continuously study and review corruption-prone processes and procedures and develop a code of ethics or conduct, including corruption prevention guidelines for staff.

Akogwu said: “Every public servant should take the ICPC Act as a bible and internalise all its tenets. That is why NDDC deserves commendation for organizing a sensitization programme for its staff."

Comments

2023: Nigeria Ranks Low, As IMF Names Countries With Highest Debt

The 2023 World Economic Outlook of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has named the countries with highest debt – Sudan 256 per cent, Japan 255 percent, and Greece 168 percent. According to the October index posted by Statisence X handle, while Nigeria has 39 percent, and China 83 percent, the U. S. has 123 percent and United Kingdom 104 percent. The above data shows that Argentina tops the list of 12 highest IMF debt burden with $44,433,379; followed by Egypt at $12, 521, 322,333; Ukraine $11,588,182,405; and China $9, 674,159, 560. Also on the list are, Pakistan $7,969,383, 344; Russia $7, 850, 147, 849; India $5,606,170, 345; Brazil $3, 995, 905, 562; Mexico $3,946, 241,133; Venezuela $3,534, 993, 686; Indonesia $2, 741, 057, 642; and South Africa $2,471, 131, 618. However, as of March 2023, Argentina led 10 countries with the highest debt burden, hitting $46billion; Egypt $18billion; Ukraine $12.2billion; Ecuador $8.2billion; Pakistan $7.4billion; Colombia $5billion; Angola $4....

FG Begins Payment Of Health Workers’ Salary Arrears

The Federal Government has commenced payment of the salary arrears to health workers under the expanded midwives service scheme. The development followed the report that the Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Sydani Group owed doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health extension workers under the scheme four-month salary arrears. The health workers under the eMSS lamented the untold hardship caused by the non-payment of salaries, coupled with the high cost of living in the country. eMSS was implemented by the Federal Government through the national primary healthcare development agency as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health in the country. The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, confirmed on Thursday that the Federal Government had begun paying the three-month arrears. Aina said, “We are aware that the workers have begun to receive payments of outstanding salaries for Au...

2023 Census: We Won’t Ask Questions On Religion –NPC

2023 Census: We Won’t Ask Questions On Religion –NPC By Editor Ahead of the commencement of the 2023 census, the National Population Commission (NPC) on Wednesday said it will not ask questions on religious affiliation. In a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Isiaka Yahaya, the commission said the decision to exclude religion along with ethnicity from the census questionnaire was taken in consideration of the sensitive nature of these issues within the Nigerian polity. He also stated that the need to save the census data from needless controversies and attention will compel the NPC to avoid questions bordering on religion. “For the avoidance of doubt, the commission wishes to state unequivocally that the 2023 Population and Housing Census will not canvass questions on religion and religious affiliations of respondents.” This comes amid a viral WhatsApp audio claiming that the religious affiliation of a person will be canvassed. The exercise is schedule...

Nelly's SmartBriefs

Search This Blog