Benue Govt collaborates with ICPC in fighting corruption

Benue State Goverment has reaffirmed it’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in the fight against corruption.

This was disclosed over the weekend by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Denen Aondoakaa in Makurdi during a courtesy visit by the Benue Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, of the ICPC, Mr. M.A. Wala.

Mr. Aondoakaa stated that Gov Hyacinth Alia had mandated all government appointees and civil servants to be transparent and diligent in the application of public resources.

He said this was evident in the ongoing infrastructure projects, prompt payment of salaries and pensions and other critical interventions, which had made Benue State a hub of construction and development.

Aondoaka expressed the Bureau’s readiness to collaborate with the ICPC as requested by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in order to strengthen institutions at the local government level as a safeguard against corrupt practices.

He emphasized the need for value re-orientation campaigns to discourage the public from exerting undue financial pressure on public officials which often fuels corruption.

Mr. Aondoakaa thanked the ICPC for the visit and reaffirmed the Bureau’s readiness to support anti-corruption initiatives, particularly at the grassroots level.

Earlier, the ICPC Resident Commissioner, Mr. M.A. Wala explained that the visit was aimed at fostering partnership with the Bureau to extend the anti-corruption agency’s campaigns to the local governments and raise awareness at the grassroots against corrupt practices.

He revealed that the commission’s focus was not only on arrests, prosecution and enforcement, but on the prevention of corruption through system review and public enlightenment.