The Managing Director of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, has said that for any organisation to be placed on the path of sustainable growth and development, it has to be free of bribery, gratification, misappropriation of public funds, and misuse of public office.
The managing director stated this while speaking during the official inauguration and induction of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of HYPPADEC in Minna on Wednesday.
He explained that he has been looking forward to the day because of his desire to promote the ethics compliance agenda of the commission, stressing that it was imperative to commend the efforts of the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) towards ensuring sustainable development in the Nigerian public sector through the establishment of anti-corruption units across Ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Managing Director said the ACTU unit was meant to promote the ICPC mandate on prohibition and prevention of corruption in the public service, adding that wherever a unit is established, it operates as an autonomous outfit with functional linkages with the office of the chief executives.
He directed all Heads of Directorate divisions or units, as well as all members of staff, to cooperate with the anti-corruption unit in order to build a corrupt-free organisation.
Alhaji Sadiq Yelwa said the objective was to get rid of corruption in the commission and foster a healthy working environment, effective leadership, appreciable compliance with ethical behaviour, and effective management of public funds.
He assured the ICPC that it would support the unit in taking disciplinary action against anyone found wanting and tarnishing the hard image of the commission.
Also speaking, the ICPC Niger State Resident Commissioner, Mall Zaiyanu Danmusa, said the ACTU initiative by the ICPC was approved by the federal government as an in-house mechanism for corruption reduction within ministries, departments, and agencies and institutionalised good governance in line with the fight against corruption.
He said the ACTU would compliment the ICPC in building strong institutions for accountability and transparency in government organisations and make appropriate recommendations to block corruption loopholes.
The newly inaugurated and inducted (HYPPADEC) ACTU Chairman, Arch. Yusuf, said that he was honoured and humbled to be called to serve as the pioneer HYPPADEC ACTU chairman along with the members of the unit.
The chairman expressed his appreciation for the opportunity given to them by the managing director and his management team to serve as active members for the next three years.
He assured that they would develop and produce an anti-corruption guide outlining definite procedures of operation and remedial action arising from conflicts and breaches.
He said he will also design compliant programmes to ensure adherence to statutory standard rules, regulations, procedures, or timelines with respect to the implementation of an ethics and integrity regime within the commission.