The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) have issued a stern warning to civil servants, urging them to refrain from circumventing procurement processes to enrich themselves.
At a two-day integrity innovation lab conference, the anti-graft agencies emphasized the need for public servants to uphold integrity and accountability in their duties. They referenced sections of their establishment Acts, highlighting punitive measures for those found guilty of corrupt practices.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in combating corruption, urging Nigerians to “hold their end” in the fight against corruption.
He highlighted several efforts being made by the Commission to tackle different windows of financial corruption in Nigeria, stressing that while a particular window is detected and closed, other ones are created by criminals, especially through the digital space to further perpetuate their corrupt practices.
He said: “Very often the person who is screaming at the rooftop, the child is the one stabbing somebody in school. We are expecting that one agency will be able to cure every malaise, but I tell you straight up, it is not possible.
ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu stressed the agency’s commitment to monitoring procurement processes, challenging civil servants to abide by established rules for clean financial management.
Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, who was represented by Head of Audit, Emmanuel Achoda, stressed the need to address perceived gaps in service delivery challenges in the Nigerian public sector.
He said: “Globally, public service delivery has remained a great challenge, as there is perceived dissatisfaction by citizens on service delivery leading to public mistrust and lack of confidence in the integrity of public officers.
“It’s pertinent to state that for any public institution to attain a world-class standard comparable to any of the developed countries, it must have reliable public officers, to drive the objectives and goals of government.
“Upholding integrity in the public service is apt and very strategic to good governance, this accounts for why countries with high levels of moral integrity will exhibit lower levels of corruption.”
The conference aimed to bridge the trust gap between public servants and Nigerians, with speakers emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service.
