The Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy has issued a compelling call to its staff to reject corruption in its entirety.
The charge was delivered by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani during her remarks at a two-day workshop organised by the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the special duties department within the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine & Blue Economy, held at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.
The permanent secretary lauded the workshop’s theme, “Uprooting Corruption and Promoting Honesty and Integrity,” emphasising its alignment with the present administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption from the public sector entirely.
In her address, Ajani astutely pointed out that corruption can manifest itself in various forms of dishonesty and unethical conduct, especially when individuals entrusted with positions of authority choose personal gain over their responsibilities.
She fervently stressed the crucial necessity for ministry staff to exercise heightened vigilance in the handling of government assets placed under their stewardship.
As part of the initiatives from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to combat corruption and corrupt practices, the director of special duties within the ministry, Mrs. Vivian Nwosu announced that the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy had initiated a sensitisation programme. The goal is to educate and enlighten the ministry’s workforce on the most effective ways to uphold the public’s trust.
During the event, the chairman of the Independent Corruption and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye eloquently addressed the pernicious effects of corruption, as his representative, Adebayo Obaniyi, did the honours. Owasanoye underscored the devastating consequences of corruption, such as the dearth of essential infrastructure, heightened insecurity, social unrest, and the tarnishing of the nation’s reputation. He decried the wastefulness and lack of integrity exhibited by government officials and public servants entrusted with the management of public finances and resources.
The workshop commenced with a series of lectures under the overarching theme of “Uprooting Corruption and Promoting Honesty and Integrity”. A second lecture offered enlightenment to staff members about the OHCSF’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) for the years 2021 to 2025.
A high point of the event was the presentation of awards to exemplary staff who had demonstrated unwavering honesty and integrity in their roles. The awardees included Akpata Anthony, serving as principal accountant in the ministry; Peace Umoh, who distinguished herself as a chief confidential secretary; Uwakwe Patricia, a dedicated chief clerical officer and Engr. Olaoye Jesudunsin, a senior mechanical engineer.
Notably, Ajani was also honoured for her exemplary leadership, marked by transparency and integrity in her management of the ministry and its personnel.
In addition to the informative sessions, the ministry’s staff seized the opportunity to seek clarifications on pressing matters related to their welfare within the service. They also sought guidance on the appropriate course of action regarding personnel who had been assigned to new posts but had failed to comply with the posting orders.
