Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called on public office holders to join in the fight to stem the tide of corruption both in the public and private sectors.
Speaking while declaring open a 2day Special Workshop on Anti-corruption organized by the State Government for selected public servants in the State on the theme: Governance & Corruption, Governor Ikpeazu noted that all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace of corruption in the Society.
He noted that the workshop will deepen the efforts of his administration in fighting corruption as well as provide a forum for accounting officers to be exposed to the global best practices in financial management, processes, procedures and rules guiding public finance and procurement.
The Governor also said that the forum will equally among other things make financial administrators to see themselves as partners towards achieving a corruption free society as well as deepen government’s struggle towards stamping out corruption in public institutions.
“It is only through an interaction like this that the operators in the various sub national governments and the watchdog in terms of fight against corruption Chief among which is the EFCC that we will begin to understand each other very well.
“This workshop if sustained would arrest the abuse of the instrumentation of EFCC and ICPC by individuals as well as deepen governments efforts to stamp out the menace of corruption in the society.
“Not until we embrace this kind of proactive approach shall we begin to see a gradual change in the perception all over the world about Nigeria and then shall we we also begin to have d full recognition on all efforts government has made and is making in the fight against corruption”, Ikpeazu said.
In a key note address, the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa, represented by the Commission’s Director of Operations Abdukareem Tukur said that the fight against corruption should not be left for the federal government alone.
He expressed the willingness of the EFCC to assist the State governments to improve transparency and accountability in governance and appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for putting up the workshop which he described as key in driving good governance.
Earlier in an address, the facilitator of the workshop and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Anthony Agbazuere said that the workshop is aimed at inculcating in the financial managers of the State the global accounting standard and prudent management of resources.
He said that Abia State believes in transparency and accountability adding, the workshop will leave participants better informed and commended the Executive Chairman of the EFCC for believing in sensitization of Nigerians towards eradicating corruption.
Members of the state Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, management staff in Finance & Supply Departments of Government were among those present at the workshop.
