N-HYPPADEC INAUGURATES NEWLY RECONSTITUTED ANTI CORRUPTION COMMITTEE: PLEDGES CONTINUED REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.

N-HYPPADEC INAUGURATES NEWLY RECONSTITUTED ANTI CORRUPTION COMMITTEE: PLEDGES CONTINUED REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.

The Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, has assured that the Commission will continue to comply with extant laws, regulations and government directives in all its operations.

The Managing Director stated this during the inauguration of the newly reconstituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Commission by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday.

Alhaji Yelwa said the Commission remained committed to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and due process in the implementation of its programmes and projects across its mandate states.

He noted that N-HYPPADEC was established to provide developmental interventions to vulnerable communities affected by hydroelectric power projects, stressing that the Commission had a responsibility to ensure that every public resource entrusted to it was properly managed and utilised for the benefit of the communities it serves.

While commending the role of the ACTU in the fight against corruption, the Managing Director pledged the Commission's continued support for the unit to enable it to effectively discharge its mandate in line with the objectives of the Federal Government.

He said the inauguration of another set of ACTU members, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the previous set, demonstrated the Commission's commitment to due process, continuity and the strengthening of its internal accountability mechanisms.

“The inauguration of the reconstituted ACTU is significant to us as a Commission. As a public institution entrusted with the responsibility of implementing developmental interventions across our mandate states and communities, we have a duty to ensure that public resources are managed prudently and in accordance with established rules and procedures.

“Our commitment to development must therefore go hand in hand with a strong culture of integrity, accountability and responsible stewardship,” he said.

Alhaji Yelwa also commended the outgoing members of the ACTU for their dedicated and invaluable service to the Commission, expressing appreciation for their contributions during their tenure.

ICPC Commends N-HYPPADEC Leadership

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Niger State, Mr Kennedy Ebhotemen, commended N-HYPPADEC for the successful inauguration and reconstitution of its ACTU.

He explained that the ACTU was an initiative of the ICPC, approved by the Federal Government to strengthen corruption prevention mechanisms in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with global best practices.

According to him, the ACTU complements the efforts of the ICPC by promoting accountability, transparency and integrity within government institutions.

He said the unit was expected to effectively carry out its assigned responsibilities, including corruption risk assessment, sensitisation, receiving and reviewing complaints, promoting compliance with codes of ethics and conduct, and other corruption-prevention activities.

He, however, clarified that the ACTU was not established to operate as a parallel authority to the management, but to work closely with the management in building a transparent and reputable institution.

Mr Ebhotemen specifically commended the Managing Director for his leadership qualities and efforts toward strengthening the Commission, urging him to sustain the initiatives aimed at improving the institution and the welfare of its staff and beneficiaries.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Finance and Administration, Dr. Haruna Jimoh Gabi, assured that the Commission would continue to build on its record of compliance, transparency and accountability.

He pledged the management's full support to the newly inaugurated ACTU and assured members of the necessary assistance to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

The newly appointed Chairman of the ACTU, Mr Adamu Zubairu Otono, appreciated the ICPC and N-HYPPADEC management for the confidence reposed in the 12-member committee.

He pledged the commitment of the members to work in accordance with the ACTU Standing Orders, guidelines and other relevant regulations, while supporting the Commission's efforts to promote transparency, accountability and ethical standards in its operations.