By Ebele Egoh
The Anambra State Head of Service, Barr. Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, has called for renewed commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in the state civil service. Iwouno made the call at a meeting on the implementation of the Anambra State Anti-Corruption Strategy (ANSACS) and the State Service Delivery Transparency Initiative (SSDTI), held at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, on Sept. 23.
She directed anti-corruption officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take decisive steps to enforce ethical standards and ensure that government policies are translated into tangible results. The Head of Service urged members of the ANSACS Secretariat, Anti-Corruption Committees (ACCs), and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committees to remain vigilant and promptly report cases of corruption in their respective MDAs.
She described the initiative as a wake-up call, stressing that although development partners, including the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and other international organisations, provide support, the responsibility for implementing the strategy rests on public servants in the state. “We cannot continue business as usual. These structures must not exist only on paper. Every member must take responsibility and ensure that the objectives are translated into action,” she said.
Iwouno also ordered the strict monitoring of staff attendance across MDAs, directing that daily attendance records be compiled and submitted to her office every Friday. She warned that officers who fail to report for duty must obtain proper authorisation, adding that absenteeism, indiscipline and negligence of duty would not be tolerated.
According to her, Anti-Corruption Committees must become more visible and effective by monitoring staff attendance, documenting activities and submitting regular reports on corruption-related issues and actions taken.
The Head of Service further called for improved coordination among the State Steering Committee, ANSACS Secretariat, ACCs and M&E Committees to ensure effective implementation of anti-corruption and service delivery policies across government institutions.
She charged members to move beyond meetings and reports and focus on measurable outcomes, stressing that accountability must be reflected in the daily operations of government agencies.
“As anti-corruption fighters, we must be ready to render selfless service and uphold the highest standards of integrity. From today, it is action, responsibility and results,” she declared. Iwouno reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening public service delivery through transparency, accountability and adherence to due process.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning, Barr. Jesse Nwankwo, emphasised the need for strict compliance with regulations, noting that transparency and accountability are essential to effective service delivery across MDAs.
Ebele Egoh is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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