Permanent Secretary Charges ACTU Members To Uphold Integrity.
By Helen Udo, Outlook Media.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella has inaugurated the newly nominated members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
The Permanent Secretary, MPR Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella (left) handing over the ICPC Operational Guide Booklet to the Chairman of ACTU MPR Mr. Okon Emmanuel (right).
He charged them to conduct their duties with integrity, impartiality, and transparency, resisting undue influence and upholding accountability principles.
The Permanent Secretary MPR, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella (centre), flanked by the representative of the Chairman of ICPC and Director of Systems Study and Review Department, Mr. Olusegun Adigun and Deputy Director(Midstream) and Chairman of ACTU MPR Mr. Okon Emmanuel in a photograph during the inauguration and induction ceremony.
In a statement signed by Chris Ugwuegbulam
Assistant Director ,Press and Public Relations
4th September, 2024 on Thursday in Abuja said The Permanent Secretary gave the charge in his opening remarks at the inauguration and induction of the newly nominated members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on Tuesday in Abuja.
Members of the newly inaugurated and inducted ACTU (standing) in a group photograph during the inauguration ceremony.
Amb. Ella emphasized that establishing ACTU within the Ministry is a deliberate effort to instil a culture of zero tolerance for corruption, going beyond statutory requirements.
According to the Permanent Secretary, ” As a Ministry that plays a critical role in
the management and stewardship of Nigeria’s Petroleum Resources, we are uniquely positioned to set a standard for good governance, ethical conduct and transparency”.
He encouraged ACTU members to play a pivotal role in promoting transparency and integrity within the Ministry.
Ella pointed out that corruption is a significant impediment to national development as it can lead to the misallocation of resources, deter investments and hamper the sector’s contribution to economic growth and deprive citizens of their rights to essential services and infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary therefore emphasised that ACTU will serve as the watchdog within the Ministry, ensuring that all the processes, decisions and actions are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the law.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Honourable Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) represented by the Director, System Study and Review Department in the Commission, Mr. Olusegun Adigun said that the creation of ACTU in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was initiated by the ICPC in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2001 to serve as an in-house check mechanism in ensuring good governance and prevention of corruption and unethical practices in MDAs.
He therefore encouraged the management of MPR to create an enabling environment for the ACTU to thrive in the Ministry.
The Deputy Director in the Midstream Department and the ACTU Chairman in the Ministry, Mr. Okon Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of other members, appreciated the confidence reposed on them to steer the affairs of ACTU in the Ministry and called for necessary support in the delivery of their assigned mandates
Members of the newly inaugurated ACTU were nominated from various Departments and Units in the Ministry and they include: Deputy Director (Midstream)/Chairman Okon Emmanuel; Chief Maintenance Officer(General Services)/member Engr. Utom Anthony Elom; Assistant Chief State Counsel(Legal Services)/member Chika Uzoewulu; Senior Administrative officer (Special Duties) member Husseini Ademu Danjuma; Principal Geologist(Gas)/member Hafsat Kaumi Mala; Principal Administrative Officer (HRM)/member Mafuyai Daniel and Assistant Chief Petroleum Engineer (Upstream)/member Engr. Dickson Okoro.
Others are: Chief Executive Officer (Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department)/member Okuboyejo Ngozi; Senior Procurement Officer (Procurement)/member Chukwuegu Augustine Obidimma; Chief Executive Officer(Internal Audit)/member Adetumbi Sikiru and Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Finance and Accounts)/ member Salihu Mohammed.
The newly inaugurated ACTU has the responsibility of raising awareness amongst staff about the importance of ethical behaviour and for providing guidance on issues relating to transparency and