Ugwuanyi tasks ICPC on corruption-free country

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, commissioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) prototype office complex for the state, charging the Commission to insist on a corruption-free country.

Ugwuanyi, who expressed happiness on ICPC’s track records, commended the Commission for professional conduct of its affairs.

He said: “I commend ICPC for this landmark achievement, as well as the professionalism in conduct of its affairs. We are proud of the agency’s track record.”

The governor noted that in the last few years, his administration had leveraged ICPC’s due diligence and competence in the conduct of government business through advisory services and anti-corruption trainings for government officials and top civil servants in the state.

The governor noted that this has positively impacted the state’s compliance with due process, which is imperative in governance processes.

Ugwuanyi added: “We rejoice with ICPC as it formally commences operations in its new office building in Enugu after 17 years of operations from a rented building.

“It is, therefore, our profound honour to commission the new magnificent ICPC office building in the state to the glory of God and for more impactful anti-corruption crusade.”

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, described the office complex as first of its kind in the South East.

He added that the event was a tribute to the fight against corruption in the state, and a testament to what can be accomplished when state governments cooperate with and complement efforts of the Federal Government and its agencies in realising their mandates within their areas of coverage.

Owasanoye, who was represented by a member of ICPC board, Obiora Igwedibia, gave credit to Ugwuanyi for making the edifice possible in 2018 through allocation of a choice landed property for the building.

While expressing the desire of the Commission to partner with state governments in pursuit of its mandate to eradicate corruption in the country, the ICPC boss appealed to stakeholders, especially the security community (the military, paramilitary and security agencies) to improve their synergies with the Commission and other anti-corruption agencies to rid the country of corruption.