The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC) Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, has urged citizens and Government officials to uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in the handling of public resources to strengthen public trust.
Shehu gave the charge on Friday in Lafia, at the end of a five-day sensitisation and capacity-building workshop organised by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the Commission for the North Central Offices.
He also charged the staff of the Commission to embrace integrity, accountability, transparency and due process in all official duties as they discharge the constitutional mandate of the Commission.
The Chairman, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Mr Ismaila Agaka, commended participants for their discipline and active participation.
He thanked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), resource persons and organisers for making the workshop a huge success.
According to Shehu, the value of the training would be measured by how faithfully the knowledge gained is applied, urging staff to return to their duty posts as ambassadors of integrity.
“The fight against corruption begins with the choices we make each day. Let us protect public resources, strengthen public trust and support the Commission in discharging its constitutional mandate with honour,” he said.
In his remarks, Federal Commissioner representing Nasarawa State, Aliyu Al-Makura, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has zero tolerance for corruption and any form of misdemeanour, and urged participants to reflect the training in their conduct within and outside the workplace.
“The government has zero tolerance, not only for corruption, but any kind of misdemeanour. I hope our being here will not be in vain,” he said.
Al-Makura urged Nigerians to eschew corruption so Nigeria and its citizens would be better for it.
Speaking on reporting procedures, ICPC Desk Officer at RMAFC, Aisha Mohammed, said Nigerians should report corruption to the ICPC through a petition to its Chairman, adding that offenders would be investigated and sanctioned according to the gravity of their offence.
Some participants who spoke to newsmen described the workshop as engaging and insightful.
Mr Kabir Shuaibu of the Fiscal Efficiency Department said they were taught how to identify, report and document corruption and monitor accruals and disbursements from the Federation Account.
Head of Federation Account Department, Ms Adaeze Mariam – Oraegbuna, said the training reinforced the need for transparency and accountability in public service.
Mr Anendah Benjamin – Ahangba, RMAFC Benue State office, said integrity begins with the individual, noting that public officers must be accountable and do the right thing at the right time.
