Lokoja.
Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has inaugurated Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja, Kogi State.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday in Lokoja, the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the unit would strengthen transparency, accountability processes and systems in the health institution.
Owasanoye, who was represented by the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Kogi, Mr Okoro James Ulu, said ACTU was approved by the Federal Government to serve as an in-house mechanism for corruption prevention in MDAs since October 2001.
He commended the management and staff of FMC for making the inauguration and induction a reality after years of postponements.
According to him, ACTU derives its power from sections 7(1) and 70 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, where the ICPC chairman is vested with power to issue Administrative Orders, called ”Standing Order”.
He stressed that FMC as the highest care giver in Kogi, must imbibe the highest level of integrity and ethics in line with the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) launched by President Muhammad Buhari in 2020.
”With FMC as a key holder in healthcare delivery, research and training in Nigeria and beyond, the drivers of this health facility cannot afford to fail.
”In this regard, the board, management and staff of FMC have to reinvigorate their efforts towards meeting the expectations of Nigerians to continue to provide optimal healthcare delivery in Kogi,” he said.
The ICPC chairman, therefore urged the ACTU inaugurated members to work closely with the management to build a reputable centre.
He added that ACTU would work as autonomous outfit with functional links yo the office of the Medical Director, with guaranteed independence and protection for effective discharge of its mandate.
Owasanoye stressed the need for ACTU members to work together as a team with the management and staff of the hospital to entrench a culture of discipline, integrity, transparency and accountability in the medical facility.
Earlier, the FMC Medical Director, Dr Olatunde Alabi, said the ACTU would primarily sensitised the management and staff of the institute against corruption of any form for the safety of the institute and the nation at large.
Alabi advised the , members of staff of the hospital to pay rapt attention to the sensitisation lecture in order to adhere to the guidelines as stipulated by the ACTU act.
The inaugurated and inducted ACTU has nine members, drawn from various departments of the health institution.
In his remarks, ACTU Chairman, Dr Joseph Iduh, said the unit would assist FMC Lokoja, the state and federal government on the issue of advocacy and enlightenment on anti-corruption.
Iduh added that it would also ensure that all financial activities in the health institution were transparently done, while erring staff would be investigated and prosecuted.
Source:Reflection.
