NPC gets anti-graft unit

In the spirit of Change agenda of the present administration, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Thursday inaugurated and inducted members of the National Planning Commission Anti- Corruption Transparency and Monitoring Unit (ACTU) in Abuja. The ACTU is an establishment of the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in all the Federal Ministries/ Extra- Ministries Bodies and Agencies Secretary to the National Planning Commission, Bassey Akpanyung, who was represented by the Director Administration, Mr. Crist Ezeilo, in his remarks, stated that the NPC ACTU will assist the ICPC in performing its function under the active supervision of the Commission, as well as serve as an autonomous outfit to function basically as a whistle blower and a watchdog for the ICPC. While charging members of the new unit, Akpayung said: ‘‘Your selection as members is a pointer to the fact that your records are encouraging and would want you to continue in that light even as I express my confidence in your abilities to effectively discharge your functions. It is my belief that you would periodically undergo various forms of training aimed at enlightening and empowering you on your functions; nevertheless, I would like to inform you that the job at hand is enormous and challenging, hence I charge you to be forthright, dedicated and tactical in the discharge of your duties.’’ Akpanyung, also expressed the hope that the inauguration and induction of the members in the Commission would check and possibly eliminate all forms of corrupt practices and attain huge successes for the purpose it was intended to achieve. In his remarks, Chairman of the ICPC, Ekpo Nta, represented by the Head of Anti- Corruption Transperancy Unit of ICPC, Mr. Kuatsea Justin, stated that the crucial role of the NPC in evolving plans to manage the national economy cannot be over emphasised, especially with the recognition that Nigeria’s economy is now the largest on the African Continent, which is a giant feat and ample evidence of good economic policies being formulated and implemented by the Commission.