Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources has officially introduced its newly appointed Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, presided over the launch, urging the members to execute their responsibilities with the highest levels of integrity, fairness, and transparency.
In his opening remarks at the event in Abuja, Ambassador Ella emphasized that the establishment of ACTU was a deliberate effort to promote a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, going beyond legal obligations.
He pointed out the harmful effects of corruption on national development, including resource mismanagement, discouragement of investment, and stunted economic progress. Ella emphasized that ACTU’s role as an internal oversight body is vital for ensuring that the Ministry’s processes and decisions are conducted with honesty and in accordance with the law.
At the inauguration, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), explained that the establishment of ACTUs across 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). This initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2001, aims to promote good governance and reduce corruption within MDAs.
Adigun urged the Ministry of Petroleum to provide the necessary resources for ACTU’s effective functioning. Mr. Okon Emmanuel, Deputy Director of the Midstream Department and Chairman of ACTU, expressed his appreciation for the confidence placed in the new members and called for cooperation to achieve their goals.
The newly constituted ACTU is composed of members 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 duties include promoting ethical conduct among staff and providing guidance on transparency and integrity matters.
