NRC, ICPC strengthen collaboration on anti-corruption drive

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to promote transparency and accountability in the nation’s railway sector.

The assurance was given by the Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner, Lagos Office, Mr Alexander Chukwumah, during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, at the corporation’s headquarters in Lagos.

Chukwumah said the commission was ready to support the corporation through training programmes designed to help staff recognise and avoid practices that could expose them to corruption related offences.

According to him, the initiative forms part of the ICPC’s public education and enlightenment mandate aimed at encouraging Nigerians and public institutions to uphold integrity and shun corrupt practices.

He urged the management of the corporation to work closely with its Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), noting that members of the unit had been trained to detect early warning signs and red flags that could help management prevent minor lapses from developing into major institutional crises.

Chukwumah said the visit was also meant to strengthen the cordial relationship between the ICPC and the Nigerian Railway Corporation and to reciprocate the goodwill earlier extended to the commission by the corporation.

“ICPC is committed to ensuring that NRC workers stay out of trouble. There are ways we can guide you and your team to avoid actions that could expose them to corruption risks,” he said.

Responding, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, welcomed the partnership and expressed readiness to work closely with the commission to deepen transparency within the corporation.

Opeifa noted that the railway sector would have recorded greater progress if corruption had not historically slowed development in the system.

He therefore requested the commission to organise a capacity building programme for the corporation’s Heads of Departments and senior management staff to help them better understand the pitfalls that could lead to errors of judgment in the course of their duties.

The NRC managing director also identified vandalism of railway infrastructure as a major challenge confronting the corporation, noting that the destruction of critical railway assets continues to place pressure on operations and service delivery.

As part of efforts to discourage the menace, he presented anti vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation bearing the inscription: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”

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