Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources has officially launched its newly appointed Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, conducted the inauguration ceremony, urging the new members to carry out their duties with utmost integrity, impartiality, and transparency.
In his opening address at the ceremony held in Abuja, Ambassador Ella highlighted the establishment of ACTU as a strategic move to foster a culture of zero tolerance towards corruption, surpassing merely legal requirements.
Ella stated the detrimental effects of corruption on national development, including misallocation of resources, deterrence of investments, and hindrance of economic growth. He stressed that ACTU’s role as a watchdog within the Ministry is crucial for ensuring processes and decisions are executed with integrity and legal compliance.
During the inauguration, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, representing the Honourable Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), explained that the creation of ACTUs across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) was initiated by the ICPC in partnership with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). This initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2001, aims to enhance good governance and curb corruption within MDAs.
Adigun encouraged the Petroleum Ministry to provide the necessary support for ACTU’s successful operation. Mr. Okon Emmanuel, Deputy Director in the Midstream Department and ACTU Chairman, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the new members and called for collaboration to achieve their objectives.
The newly formed ACTU consists of representatives from various departments within the Ministry, including Deputy Director (Midstream) Okon Emmanuel, Chief Maintenance Officer Engr. Utom Anthony Elom, and Assistant Chief State Counsel Chika Uzoewulu, among others. Their responsibilities include raising staff awareness about ethical conduct and offering guidance on transparency and integrity issues.
