COMMISSIONER TASKS ANSACS COMMITTEE TO INTENSIFY ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE, SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORTS

By Obiageli Nwankwo

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Longinus Ogugua, has directed the Ministry’s Anambra State Anti-Corruption Strategy (ANSACS) Committee to intensify efforts to promote transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in the ministry.

Ogugua gave the directive on July 17, while receiving members of the committee on a courtesy visit to his office in Awka, alongside the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu.

He urged the committee to ensure that civil servants were punctual, regular at work and discharged their duties in line with the Public Service Rules.

The commissioner also charged the committee to strengthen its oversight role by curbing corrupt practices, eliminating delays in official processes and discouraging the solicitation of gratification in the discharge of public duties.

He further directed the committee to submit monthly activity reports to his office to enable the ministry monitor its performance, identify challenges, take prompt corrective measures and enhance service delivery.

Earlier, the Chairman of the ANSACS Committee, Mr. Basil Ilegbunam, said the committee was established to identify and address loopholes within the ministry, including delays in processing official files, lateness to work, the use of inappropriate language in offices and the demand for gratification before official duties are performed.

He said the committee had organised a one-day sensitisation workshop to educate staff on integrity, accountability and its mandate, adding that suggestion boxes had been installed across the ministry to provide confidential channels for reporting suspected corrupt practices.

Ilegbunam added that the committee planned to extend its sensitisation campaign to primary and secondary schools across the state through the establishment of Anti-Corruption Clubs aimed at instilling integrity and ethical values in students.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, urged the committee to remain proactive by developing effective strategies, documenting its activities through regular reports and remaining committed to its anti-corruption mandate.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Ilegbunam thanked the commissioner and the permanent secretary for their support and assured them of the committee’s commitment to intensifying its activities and submitting monthly reports as directed.

Obiageli Nwankwo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State