The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has outlined five key thematic areas to tackle corruption and enhance fiscal transparency in Nigeria’s local government administration.
This initiative was announced on Thursday during the launch of ICPC’s Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments in Nigeria (ACPP-LG).
In his address, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, emphasized the urgency of tackling corruption at the local government level and ensuring financial transparency.
He highlighted that the ACPP-LG reform was driven by a Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for local governments.
Aliyu stated that the ICPC was committed to enforcing compliance with anti-corruption laws and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and efficiency, stressing that “The ACPP-LG is designed to strengthen local councils’ financial management, governance standards, and proactive disclosure.
“Our key objectives include ensuring transparency in local government operations, facilitating proactive disclosure of financial and administrative activities, enhancing public communication and citizen engagement, training officials on ethical governance, leveraging technology for transparency, promoting collaboration with civil society and development partners, establishing monitoring mechanisms, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging sustainable development practices.”
To achieve these objectives, the Commission has identified five thematic areas: Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Human Resources, Corruption Control, and Citizens’ Engagement.
“By focusing on these areas, we aim to strengthen governance structures, enhance service delivery, and restore public trust in local governments,” he said.
“The ICPC will deploy its investigative, prosecutorial, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance. This includes legislative enforcement, periodic audits, and oversight mechanisms to identify and rectify non-compliance.”
Aliyu while appealing to state governments to support local councils in implementing the ACPP-LG reform without administrative obstacles, noted that the Commission would leverage technology and social media to mobilise citizens in the fight against corruption while ensuring grassroots participation. The ICPC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to prosecuting cases of fund diversion at the local government level.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, represented by Committee member Senator Yaro Anthony Siyako, described the ACPP-LG reform as a timely and crucial initiative for ensuring efficiency and transparency in local government administration.
Siyako reiterated the National Assembly’s support for local government autonomy and called for the prudent and transparent use of allocated resources.
“As lawmakers, we are committed to enacting and strengthening legislation that promotes accountability, transparency, and good governance at all levels,” Siyako said.
THE GUARDIAN
