Yobe state Gov. Hon. Mai Mala Buni, said strong and independent institutions can effectively check corruption, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.
The Governor stated this on Monday when he received in audience the new Resident 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 establishment of the state Bureau on Public Procurement has checked over-invoicing in procurement, award of contracts and diversion of government resources.
“The state Bureau on 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” he said.
The Governor explained that the prudence in managing the state resources has supported the execution of the people oriented projects across the state.
He said the commendation from the commission would further spur government to improve on its policy of transparency, accountability and, Anti-corruption in all its transactions.
Gov. Buni directed Ministries, departments and agencies to collaborate with the ICPC on training of finance officers to block all leakages.
Earlier, Mr. Linus Gubbi said he was on tour of the state following his deployment as Commissioner in charge of Borno and Yobe states.
“We are also on a preventive and public enlightenment drive for us to collectively win the fight against corruption” he said.
He urged the Governor to establish anti corruption and transparency unit in ministries, departments and agencies to support ICPC in the fight against corruption.
The Commissioner congratulated Gov. Buni for the transparency and accountability awards won by the Yobe State from State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability, a World Bank assisted programme, and the Association of Public Procurement Practioners of Nigeria for accountability, transparency and due process in governance.
Signed
Mamman Mohammed,
DG Press and Media Affairs to the Governor.
