*Inaugurates handbook for staff

*Ranked 15th among 406 anti-corruption compliant MDA’s by ICPC

The Managing-Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN), Sule Abdulaziz,  has stated that the management in recognizing the negative effects of corruption is poised to prevent and stamp out the menace in the agency.

Abdulaziz made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja, at the inauguration of a Preventive Guide Handbook to educate members of staff against corrupt practices, by the agency’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

The MD at the inauguration of the book and awareness campaign, said that in recognising the severity of corruption, the management established the ACTU as antidote in the resolve.

Abdulaziz, who was represented by Mr. Justin Ododo, Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, said that ACTU was set up to spearhead TCN’s commitment to eradicate corruption.

“Today, as we learn more through this anti-corruption awareness programme, it is important to note that the handbook is a crucial tool in our ongoing fight against corruption.

“Rather than reacting to corruption after occurs its emphasis is on prevention, I therefore urge all staff to actively engage with this guide, internalise its content, and apply its principles in their daily activities.

“Let us not view the handbook as a mere office document for our office tables, We must make effort to read it and it is by reading and understanding its content will we be empowered to become exemplary ambassadors of TCN,” he said.

According to him, the handbook will equally help staff of the TCN to foster a workplace culture that is resistant to corruption.

“Application of its content therefore is key,” he emphasised.

Abdulaziz, in commending the ACTU team for compiling the anti-corruption guide, noted that the TCN management on her part, pledges unwavering support in fulfilling its responsibilities.

“I implore each member of TCN to embrace the values outlined in the handbook and contribute to a work place that nurtures growth in the right direction,” he stated.

On his part, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), noted that ACTU was an internal mechanism in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to check corruption and promote integrity

Represented by Hajia Mutiat Musa, an Official of ICPC, he said that the ACTU was put in place to educate members of staff against corrupt practices and also to ensure accountability.

The ICPC boss re-emphasised the need for MDAs to institute a policy framework that would ensures effective regulation of good practice as well as measures against corrupt practices.

“There should also be training and retraining plan for staff to educate them on corrupt practices in order for them to have zero tolerance to corruption,’’ he said.

The ICPC chairman commended TCN for its effort in promoting the fight against corruption and urge the management to do more to support the activities of the ACTU.

Earlier, the Acting Chairman of ACTU, Mr. Chuks Ochije, said it was in the relentless pursuit to curb the pervasive nature of corruption in the country ICPC), established ACTUs in over 445 MDAs to fight corruption.

Ochije said that in the 19 years, the ACTUs had not only introduced accountability in the operations of public officials but have also demanded probity in the allocation and utilization of public resources.

“Through diligent efforts, ACTUs have identified corruption vulnerabilities within systems, leading to recommendations that have successfully blocked loopholes in various MDAs,” he said.

Ochije disclosed that in just a year, TCN had demonstrated impressive leap in ICPC ranking, achieving 15th place among 406 MDA’s in 2023, compared to the 70th position in year 2022 ranking.

According to him, the remarkable feat is a testament to TCN’s substantial improvement and dedication to fostering integrity, transparency, and ethical practices and unweaving commitment to anti-corruption initiatives.

He said the ACTU had successfully inaugurated the unit in nine TCN regional offices throughout the Federation, adding that Shiroro Region, would be inaugurated on Dec. 6.

“Suggestion and whistle blowing boxes have been provided at the reception of all the floors of TCN building for ease of collation of reports,” he said.