Gov Mbah Charges Enugu Public Officers on Accountability

…Says ‘Every naira stolen robs state of development’

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Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has urged public office holders to embrace the three pillars of his administration, namely, transparency, accountability and traceability, noting that every naira lost to corruption, financial misconduct and non-compliance ultimately deprives the people of the state of quality social services and critical infrastructure.

Mbah gave the charge on Thursday when he declared open a two-day training programme, Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policies and Financial Regulations Frameworks, organised by his administration for the state’s political appointees and civil servants.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, spoke on the theme, “Enhancing Governance through Compliance: Navigating Anti-Corruption Policies, Financial Regulations and Emerging Taxation Frameworks.”

He said the training, facilitated by Xavine Consulting Limited, was designed to strengthen compliance with anti-corruption laws, financial regulations and emerging tax policies as well as equip participants with the knowledge required to uphold ethical standards and improve public sector governance.

He described corruption as one of the greatest obstacles to development because resources are diverted through fraudulent practices, thus directly reducing government’s capability to provide essential social services.

“Therefore, Enugu State, under our leadership, set out three governance principles that would serve as a guide for our governance thinking and delivery strategy —Transparency, Traceability and Accountability. These three pillars have informed a lot of our procurement and systems-thinking model, our e-governance initiatives and our financial management across the state.

“This is because every naira lost to corruption, financial irregularities and non-compliance means fewer resources for smart schools, primary healthcare centres, roads and other critical infrastructure. Our governance is built on transparency, traceability and accountability, and compliance begins with knowledge,” Mbah said.

He urged public servants to stay abreast of emerging taxation and regulatory frameworks, stressing that ignorance of the law would no longer be an excuse for non-compliance. He also tasked participants to cascade the knowledge acquired to their colleagues in their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and assured that government would continue to monitor compliance across the public service.

Speaking at the event, the consultant, Justin Kuatsea, noted that corruption had become deeply entrenched and could only be overcome through collective action and exemplary leadership.

Kuatsea, a certified management trainer and retired Deputy Director, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), maintained that the anti-corruption fight must begin with individuals in their homes, workplaces and communities, while political leaders must lead by example by demonstrating integrity and accountability.

Kuatsea identified employment irregularities, recruitment abuses, concealment of official files, irregular promotions, contract inflation, payments for unexecuted contracts and other financial misconduct as common corruption indicators in the public service.

“That was why I said that the fight against corruption must start with individuals, but political leaders must lead by example,” he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Xavine Consulting Limited, Catherine Kadiri, said the training was designed to ensure that civil servants fully understand anti-corruption policies, financial regulatory frameworks and emerging taxation laws.

Kadiri said the programme would significantly tackle ignorance of ethical and operational standards in the public service, noting that participants would gain practical knowledge applicable to their respective roles.

She disclosed that 16 resource persons, including experts from the ICPC and Nigeria’s financial regulatory sector, were engaged to facilitate the sessions and expose participants to global best practices in governance and compliance.

According to her, the programme underscored the Mbah administration’s understanding that it could not build its envisioned $30 billion economy without a solid, committed, ethical, accountable, and highly responsible public service.

“There should be no excuse for non-compliance. This programme is designed to ensure public officers understand the dos and don’ts of governance, financial regulations and anti-corruption frameworks.

“We are also adding integrity to the core pillars so participants leave with the right values to drive good governance,” Kadiri concluded.