The Abia State government has inaugurated an anti-corruption steering committee to deepen transparency, accountability and good governance in the state public service
At the event in Umuahia, the capital, the head of service, Benson Ojeikere, said it demonstrates the government’s commitment to institutionalizing integrity and accountability in the service.
He urged the members to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism and a strong sense of duty as the success of the initiative would strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
”The success of this initiative will strengthen public confidence in government institutions, improve service delivery, and further promote transparency in governance,” he said.
Ojeikere noted that the members were carefully selected because of their strategic positions and capacity to drive the implementation of the state’s anti-corruption agenda.
In his remarks, the state attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, described corruption as a major challenge confronting the public service in the country.
Represented by the solicitor general and permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice, Paul Ogubunka, he said the vision of building a prosperous and accountable state can only be achieved on a foundation of integrity.
According to him, “If we are to take the issue of corruption seriously and build the Abia State of our dreams as envisioned by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, then we must lay a strong foundation of integrity.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the state programme coordinator of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, Peter Omenka, described the committee as the “policy compass for integrity and accountability” in the state.
