By Chimezie Godfrey
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Power have agreed to strengthen collaboration to promote transparency, accountability and improved service delivery in Nigeria’s power sector.
The commitment was made when the Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, led top officials of the ministry on a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, reaffirmed the anti-graft agency’s readiness to support the ministry in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in the sector.
Earlier, Tegbe described the ICPC as a strategic government institution whose support was crucial to achieving reforms in the power sector.
According to him, the ministry requires the Commission’s guidance in addressing challenges affecting electricity supply and strengthening accountability.
The minister disclosed that about 30 per cent of the challenges confronting the power sector are linked to vandalism, adding that the ministry has several cases requiring the Commission’s intervention and guidance.
He also revealed that electricity generation had improved, with national power output now exceeding 5,000 megawatts.
”We need people like you with the requisite experience to support us, and we look forward to forging a sustainable and long-term relationship with the Commission,” Tegbe said.
Responding, Oparaodu congratulated the minister on his appointment and commended the ministry for identifying the ICPC as a key partner in reforming the power sector.
He noted that the Commission’s mandate of enforcement, prevention and public education positioned it to support the ministry in ensuring that contractors and other stakeholders handling public funds remained accountable.
”Through its enforcement mandate, the Commission will support the Ministry in ensuring that contractors and other stakeholders handling government resources are held accountable and prevented from defrauding the government,” Oparaodu said.
Both institutions pledged to deepen collaboration aimed at promoting transparency, safeguarding public resources and improving electricity service delivery across the country.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
