The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Monilola Udoh has assured that the Federal Government will not allow corruption to destroy the efforts it is making to set the nation on the right path.
Udoh stated that the Federal Government established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that corruption is eradicated in the country.
She said this at the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) sensitisation workshop for staff in Abuja themed ‘’Achieving Integrity and Zero Tolerance to Corruption in FMSTI’’.
Udoh lamented that corruption is a great source of poverty and other vices presently prevailing in the country.
She further said that the management of FMSTI is ready to partner with ACTU in carrying out its assignment and assured the ICPC of the ministry’s commitment in the fight against corruption by instilling accountability and transparency in civil and public services.
The permanent secretary pointed out that a lack of transparency and accountability in daily operations promotes corruption which has continued to regress socio-economic growth and good governance in the country.
Also, she said that law enforcement agencies need to be supported and encouraged to eliminate corruption in the country.
‘’We need to promote and sponsor more programmes and activities that empower our institutions to achieve their mandates.’’
Earlier, the chairman of ACTU of the ministry, Mrs. Stella Igwilo said that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of all staff of the ministry and, therefore, appealed for a sincere commitment.
A statement by the director of information and signed by Mrs. Eremah Anthonia, said the director of the ICPC’s public enlightenment and education department, Mohammed Bobafa, during his paper presentation titled ‘’Overview of the ICPC National Ethics and Integrity Policy’’, said: “The fight against corruption can be won if we adhere strictly to the public service’s seven core values of ethics and integrity which include human dignity, voice and participation, patriotism, personal responsibility, integrity, national unity and professionalism.”
