The Nigerian Building and Road ReTearch Institute (NBRRI) On Wednesday, 21st August 2024, inaugurated new members into its Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) at the Institute’s Administrative Headquarters in Abuja. The event marked a significant step in the Institute’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability.
ACTU, an initiative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), is approved by the federal government as an in-house mechanism for preventing corruption within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This initiative aligns with global best practices, focusing on building strong institutions and entrenching good governance. ACTU plays a complementary role to the ICPC, fostering accountability and transparency within government MDAs.
In his opening remarks, NBRRI’s Director General/CEO, Engr. Prof. Samson Duna, warmly welcomed the ICPC team to the Institute. He highlighted the positive impact of the ongoing relationship between NBRRI and ICPC, assuring that the newly inaugurated ACTU members have been thoroughly screened and are well-prepared for the tasks ahead in promoting transparency and accountability.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, expressed his hopes that the new ACTU members will be empowered to fulfill their mandate, which includes: periodic staff sensitization on the dangers of corruption; examining systems, processes, and procedures vulnerable to corruption and proposing solutions; developing and reviewing codes of ethics for staff; ensuring compliance; monitoring the Institute’s budget implementation; coordinating the development of an ethics and integrity compliance scorecard (EICS); and conducting preliminary investigations into complaints and reports. Dr. Aliyu emphasized that the ACTU is not intended to function as a parallel authority but to work closely with and receive support from the Institute’s management. He urged management to provide the necessary resources, such as funding and office space, to enable the Unit to operate effectively and to involve its members in various standing committees.
In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed ACTU Chairman, Mr. Domi Ali, expressed his gratitude to the DG/CEO for his unwavering support in combating corruption—a pervasive issue in society. He pledged to work diligently alongside his team to fight corruption within the Institute, benefiting not only the Institute itself but also its stakeholders, the construction industry, and the nation at large.
The newly inaugurated members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit are:
- Chairman: Mr. Domi Ali
- Secretary: Mrs. Victoria Imobhio
- Member: Mr. Mike Agala
- Member: Miss Igwilo Chinyelu
- Member: Mr. Abraham David
- Member: Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu
- Member: Mrs. Adenike Afon
- Member: Mrs. Grace Eskenah Elihu
- Member: Mr. Israel Ekeyi