The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has established an Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

Managing Director, N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, disclosed yesterday in Minna, while inaugurating the unit made up of seven members of staff.

Yelwa said that the unit would ensure sustainable growth and development of the commission.

“For any organisation to be placed on the path of sustainable growth and development, it has to be free of bribery, gratification, misappropriation of public funds and misuse of public offices.

“Thus, it is imperative for us to commend the efforts of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“It is ensuring sustainable development in the Nigerian public sector through the establishment of ACTU across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),” he said.

He explained that the ACTU unit was established to promote ICPC’s mandate on prohibition and prevention of corruption in the public service.

“Wherever such a unit is established, it operates as an autonomous outfit with functional linkages with the office of the Chief Executive,” he said.

The Managing Director directed all Heads of Directorates, Divisions and Units, as well as all members of staff of the commission to cooperate with the anti corruption unit in order to build a corruption- free organisation.

He assured the ICPC of the maximum cooperation of the management of the commission to enable the unit succeed.

He urged members of staff to support the unit in taking disciplinary actions against any staff found wanting of tarnishing the image of the commission.

Yelwa said that there was the need to do away with lawlessness and impunity in the public service to enable the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling corruption to succeed.

Also, Prof Bolaji Awasanoye, Chairman, ICPC, represented by the state Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner, Malam Zayanu Danmusa said that the commission would institutionalise the ACTU in MDAs in the country.

Awasanoye said that the measure would sensitise and promote high ethics in all the MDAs to ensure transparency and accountability.

Responding, the N-HYPPADEC unit Chairman, Yusuf Ibrahim,  gave the assurance of bringing to bear their wealth of experience, competence and transparency that would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Ibrahim said that the unit would provide whistle blowing boxes, corruption guide of operation, compliance programme and implementation ethics within the commission to ensure zero tolerance for corruption in the system.