NIMASA inaugurates anti- corruption unit
On Thursday, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) launched its Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
The eight-member NIMASA ACTU was established during a ceremony overseen by Kabir Elelu, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in Lagos, held at NIMASA’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
During the event, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of NIMASA, emphasized the importance of developing systems that promote peace, access to justice, and the establishment of robust institutions in the country. Jamoh highlighted the detrimental impacts of corruption on society, including the erosion of public trust.
He underscored, “Corruption has wide-reaching effects on various sectors of government, business, and civil society. It is a problem that requires aggressive confrontation, especially in the current challenging economic climate of our nation.”
Jamoh urged the new ACTU members to prioritize transparency, fairness, and moral courage in carrying out their responsibilities. Representing Jamoh at the inauguration ceremony, NIMASA’s Director of Internal Audit, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, encouraged the members not to lose hope in the face of slow progress and to remain vigilant against cynicism.
Expressing satisfaction with the caliber of officers selected for the unit, Jamoh encouraged them to remain dedicated to their duties. Kabir Elelu, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of ICPC Lagos, emphasized that the establishment of the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit reflects a deep understanding that personnel within organizations are best positioned to identify and address corruption concerns.
He explained, “The primary objective of setting up ACTUs within Federal Government MDAs is to support and supplement ICPC’s efforts in promoting high moral standards, work ethics, and values necessary for achieving organizational goals and eradicating corrupt practices.”
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Elelu acknowledged the challenges faced by ACTU members, such as inadequate funding and concerns about being perceived as informants by colleagues. He assured that ICPC is actively addressing these issues through initiatives like Desk Officer development and the establishment of the ACTU Effectiveness Index.
Aisha Usman, the chairperson of the NIMASA ACTU, expressed humility and a strong sense of responsibility in accepting the role, emphasizing the unit’s commitment to reducing and ultimately eliminating corrupt practices within the agency.
