WorldStage– Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Ministry of Power to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s power sector.
The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, gave the assurance while receiving the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, and top ministry officials on a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Oparaodu congratulated the minister on his appointment and commended the ministry for recognising the ICPC as a strategic partner in efforts to reposition the power sector.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, expressing optimism that improved power supply would stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and accelerate national economic development across sectors nationwide.
According to him, the ICPC’s tripartite mandate of enforcement, prevention and public education places the commission in a strategic position to collaborate effectively with the ministry.
He assured the delegation that through its enforcement mandate, the commission would support the ministry in ensuring contractors and stakeholders handling public resources remained accountable.
Oparaodu said the commission would also help prevent fraud, abuse and mismanagement of government resources, thereby strengthening transparency and public confidence in the sector.
In his remarks, Tegbe described the ICPC as one of the key government institutions with which the ministry must build a strong working relationship.
According to him, the ministry requires the commission’s guidance, support and partnership in addressing challenges confronting the sector and improving electricity generation and service delivery.
The minister said that about 30 per cent of challenges facing the power sector stemmed from vandalism, adding that several cases required ICPC’s guidance.
He said the ministry had recorded improvements in electricity generation, with output now exceeding 5,000 megawatts, and emphasised the importance of sustaining current gains.
“We need people like you with the requisite experience to support us, and we look forward to forging a sustainable and long-term relationship with the commission,” he said.The meeting ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at entrenching transparency, safeguarding public resources and improving service delivery nationwide.
