Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Anti-Corruption Agency Bill has passed its second reading at the state’s House of Assembly.
Sponsor of the Bill and member representing Isiala Ngwa North, Hon Iheonunekwu Collins, disclosed this at a stakeholders workshop organized by the International IDEA through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme on the implementation of the Abia State Integrity and Accountability Strategy (ABSIAS) in Umuahia.
The three-day workshop funded by the European Union, EU, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the strategies for the implementation of the developed ABSIAS.
He said that when passed into Law, the Bill would give legislative backing, and strengthen the fight against corruption in the state.
Describing corruption as a big monster and the greatest challenge of both public and private organisations, the lawmaker called for concerted effort to tackle it.
Hinting how his stint at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, opened his eyes to the magnitude and potential damage corruption could do to public good, the lawmaker vowed to redouble efforts towards combating the monster.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker, and other participants at the workshop agreed that not the absence of law but weakness in the implementation of policies and existing anti-corruption laws was the reason the monster had persisted in society
“Implementation has always been the problem. I’m impressed with what you are doing here,” the lawmaker said.
“When I saw the service code of EFCC, where I served for 16 years, I made up my mind to replicate it for Abia State even before I came to the House of Assembly,” he said.
He urged participants to make fruitful contributions and inputs that would shape a stronger integrity framework for the State.
The resource person and consultant for the workshop, Prof Ada Igbokwe, said the three-day workshop would address grey areas and come up with acceptable framework for transparency and accountability in Abia State Government business.
She explained that the strategy would serve as a roadmap for government, public and organisations involved in service delivery in the State.
Participants were drawn from relevant Ministries and Agencies as well as Civil Society Organisations.
