NEWS
Abia State Govt. Inaugurates Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Steering Committee, Charges Members to Begin Immediate Implementation
The Abia State Government has taken another significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance with the inauguration of the State Strategy for Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Steering Committee, charging members to immediately commence the implementation of the state’s anti-corruption framework.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Umuahia, marks a major milestone in the government’s determination to institutionalize integrity, accountability and ethical governance across the public service while ensuring that anti-corruption policies translate into measurable results for the benefit of citizens.
Speaking while inaugurating the committee, the Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, described the establishment of the Steering Committee as a clear demonstration of the Abia State Government’s unwavering commitment to entrenching integrity and accountability within government institutions.
He explained that members of the committee were carefully selected based on their strategic positions, wealth of experience and capacity to effectively drive the implementation of the state’s anti-corruption agenda.
According to Mr. Ojeikere, the committee, which is composed largely of Permanent Secretaries and other senior government officials, is expected to provide strategic policy direction, monitor implementation progress, address emerging challenges and ensure that the objectives of the State Strategy for Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption are fully achieved.
He urged members to approach their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to public service, emphasizing that the success of the initiative would further reinforce public trust in government institutions while improving service delivery across the state.
”“The success of this initiative will strengthen public confidence in government institutions, improve service delivery and further promote transparency in governance.
“On behalf of the Abia State Government, I hereby inaugurate the Abia State Strategy for Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Steering Committee and charge members to commence work immediately in line with the approved implementation framework,“ Ojeikere stated.
The Head of Service also congratulated members on their appointment and expressed confidence in their ability to advance the cause of integrity, accountability and good governance in Abia State.
In his remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Barrister Paul Ogubunka, described corruption as one of the greatest challenges confronting the public service and stressed that the vision of building a prosperous and accountable Abia State can only be realized on a solid foundation of integrity.
According to him, “If we are to take the issue of corruption seriously and build the Abia of our dreams as envisioned by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, then we must lay a strong foundation of integrity.
“You cannot build a skyscraper on a weak foundation, and integrity remains the cornerstone of everything this initiative stands for.“ Uwanna stated.
Barr. Uwanna noted that the validation exercise previously conducted had laid the necessary foundation for the inauguration and implementation of the anti-corruption framework. He therefore encouraged all relevant stakeholders to participate actively in the implementation process.
“We have completed the validation exercise, which paved the way for what we are doing today.
“Moving forward, I encourage all of us to engage effectively in this process so that we can set a new standard for accountability and transparency in Abia State,” he stated.
He further assured that the committee would be guided by the principles of credibility, collaboration and citizen-based engagement in executing its mandate, while the Ministry of Justice would continue to monitor compliance, provide policy guidance and engage members of the public throughout the implementation process.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Programme Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, Mr. Peter Jones Omenka, described the Steering Committee as the “policy compass for integrity and accountability” in Abia State.
He explained that the ROLAC Programme is supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
According to him, the programme is focused on strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities, while also promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions.
Mr. Omenka disclosed that Abia State is among the newest beneficiaries of the programme and emphasized that the Steering Committee has a crucial oversight responsibility in ensuring that the state’s anti-corruption strategy is effectively implemented.
“Without strong oversight, Abia’s anti-corruption agenda remains a document; it has no life. With your leadership, it becomes action“ he said.
He added that the committee would strengthen collaboration among Anti-Corruption Agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, the media and the private sector, while ensuring that the state’s anti-corruption priorities are transformed into concrete and measurable outcomes.
Mr. Omenka commended the Head of Service for hosting the inauguration ceremony and appreciated members of the committee for accepting the responsibility of advancing integrity and accountability in the state.
Members of the Steering Committee include Uchechukwu Kalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection; Ada Ukandu, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishment, Office of the Head of Service; Dr. Godwin Okezuo, Office of the Secretary to the State Government; Sir Chris Onwuegbu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information; Barr. Paul Ogubunka, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Rev. Dr. Okey Ihemanma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and SMEs; Dr. Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and Obi-Chianakwalam Elechi Agatha, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance.