The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has inaugurated a six-man anti-corruption committee of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
Speaking at the inauguration held at the association’s headquarters in Lagos yesterday, Head, Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department of ICPC, Akeem Lawal said the contribution of the private sector in fighting corruption will give the required impetus to the effort of the commission in addressing corrupt practices.
He expressed appreciation towards the effort of NAGAFF n supporting the fight against corruption but noted that ICPC does not have a presence in the ports and has never stationed any officer in the ports to act for it.
He said the committee as an ombudsman is expected to ensure that the business of NAGAFF and its affiliates are conducted in a corruption free environment.
He charged the committee members to ensure compliance to organisational and business ethics by conducting their businesses in the most transparent and accountable manner to help curb corruption and institute integrity among its members.
Lawal assured that the commission would work with NAGAFF to ensure transparency in the port system.
Speaking earlier, the National President of the NAGAFF, Chief Eugene Nweke said the maritime sector could generate over N7trillion to the economy if corruption is eradicated or minimized from the system.
“Nothing stops us from getting N7 trillion as revenue in the Nigerian ports but corruption has been the reason why we cannot achieve this. From analysis, corruption is institutional. However, we must ensure that there is zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.
He stated that his association was ready to partner ICPC to check corruption in the port system.
Chairman of the committee, Forwarder Increase Uche, while pledging loyalty to ICPC and NAGAFF, promised to carry out the responsibilities of the committee to the best of his ability.
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