Nigeria needs strong institutions to tackle corruption – Gov. Buni
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni says Nigeria needs strong independent institutions to tackle the menace of corruption, misappropriation and diversion of public funds effectively.
The Governor stated this on Monday in Damaturu when he received the new anti-corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission in charge of Borno and Yobe states, Mr Linus Gubbi.
He said the state has established the Bureau on Public Procurement to check over-invoicing in procurement contracts and diversion of government resources.
“The state Bureau of Public Procurement has become strong through independence from the government, thereby improving transparency and accountability in governance.
“The oversight function by the various committees of the state House of Assembly has also added value to accountability and transparency in government activities,” Buni said.
According to him, the measures taken to ensure prudence in managing government resources has made it possible to execute people-centred projects across the state.
Earlier, Gubbi said he was on tour of the state to familiarise himself with his new area of responsibility.
He advised the governor to establish anti corruption and transparency unit in ministries, departments and agencies to support ICPC in the fight against corruption.
Gubbi congratulated the governor for winning the transparency and accountability award in Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability, and the Accountability, Transparency and Due Process in Governance award.
The awards were awarded by the World Bank, and the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria, respectively.
The ICPC commissioner pledged to work with the government to enhance accountability and transparency in governance.
