Assistant Comptroller General Zone A, Kehinde Sadiq, has charged officers and men to create an environment where transparency and accountability are the norms, not the exceptions.
This initiative highlights the use of various anti-corruption tools, including technology and enforcement, to combat this pervasive issue. ACG Sadiq emphasized this during the official flag-off of a two-day sensitization campaign on July 2, 2024. The theme of the campaign is ‘Mitigating Corruption and Improving Service Delivery.’
ACG Sadiq stated, “Corruption remains a formidable challenge facing our society, undermining trust, hampering development, and eroding the quality of public service.” He added, “Today, we are creating awareness on mitigating corruption and improving service delivery, a matter that demands our immediate attention and concerted efforts. Our gathering today is to equip ourselves and others with the knowledge needed to contribute to the solution of this challenge. This campaign marks a significant milestone in the CGIS’s continuous efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the NIS’s operations.”
Sadiq noted that the Service recognizes its pivotal role in national security and service delivery. Consequently, it has adopted a proactive stance against corruption by implementing the Federal Government’s Cashless policy and subsequent passport reforms championed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Comptroller General’s Take
Comptroller General Kemi Nandap described corruption as a cancer that must be excised for growth and progress. Represented by DCI F.H Lairan, Special Adviser on Anti-Corruption, she emphasized that corruption is a departure from ideal conduct. She noted, “It is not restricted to race, or ethnicity and can disgrace an organization.”
DCI Lairan advocated for a change of mindset among Nigerians, noting that the new passport process reduces the level of interface with officers, thereby decreasing corruption. However, she mentioned that some applicants still prefer to pay officers to assist with online processes.
Voices against Corruption
Also speaking, the 2IC Servicom, CSI E. A. Endabwebi, called for the embrace of modernization. He further advocated for a user-friendly experience, training for staff, and equipping them with skills to fight corruption. Endabwebi said officers should foster a culture of accountability and create clear communication channels to address grievances, which will aid in combating corruption.
He cautioned immigration officers, advising that under the Facilitation Act, they can now be sued. He recalled a case where authorities imprisoned a service man for seven years for breach, despite his refunding monies and producing a passport for an applicant.
Superintendent Chibuzo Omeili of the Nigerian Correctional Service, representing the Assistant Controller General Zone A command, ACG Olanrewaju Amoran, also spoke at the gathering. Addressing the twin challenges of mitigating corruption and enhancing service delivery, she stated that these were fundamental to building a just, efficient, and prosperous society.
Consequently, she stressed that corruption erodes the trust between citizens and the government, diverting resources meant for the public good into private pockets. Superintendent Omeili said, “Enhancing service delivery goes hand in hand with mitigating corruption. When public services are efficient, transparency and accountability thrive, and there is less room for corruption to take root. We must focus on improving the quality of services that citizens rely on, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and social welfare.”
She further advocated, “To enhance service delivery, we need to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic red tape. Simplifying procedures and cutting down on unnecessary paperwork can make services more accessible and reduce opportunities for corruption. We should embrace innovation and technology, using digital platforms to deliver services more efficiently and transparently.”
Highlight of the Event
The highlight of the event was the sensitization walk around Alausa and its environs, led by the ACG. Officers of the service moved around advocating anti-corruption, sharing information, and distributing flyers to emphasize this important cause. transparency and accountability