THE
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC)
yesterday handed over 40 recovered vehicles coveted by retired directors
and assistant directors at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
One of the directors carted away five vehicles.
But ICPC said the affected retired public officers would face the law after investigation.
Its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, said the
vehicles were recovered by a crack team led by the commission’s Director
of Asset Tracing, Mr. Frank Nanakumo.
Nta, who was represented on the occasion
by a Commissioner in ICPC, Alhaji Bako Abdullahi, said the anti-graft
agency acted on intelligence report on the looting of operational and
utility vehicles of the affected ministry.
According to records by ICPC, the
breakdown of the recovered vehicles is as follows: Hilux pickup (13);
Hilux pickup (one); Toyota RAV4 (two); Audi Q7 (one); Ford Explorer
(one); Land Rover (one); Nissan Patrol (one); Toyota Prado (eight);
Toyota Avensis (three); Toyota Corolla (seven); Toyota Camry (one) and
Audi A6 (one).
Nta said: “It is extremely sad that
vehicles meant for the administrative and operational responsibilities
of government establishment were dishonestly made away with by retiring
senior public officers in whose oversight were the vehicles.
“However, it is fulfilling because the
commission in its usual effort was alive to her law enforcement and
prevention mandate in the fight against corruption.
“In all seriousness, this formality
should not just be for handing-over of recovered vehicles from an
anti-corruption agency to another public institution. Rather, it should
be a moment for solemn reflection on our avowed commitment to public
service and the thought processes of the public servant going into
retirement.
“You will agree with me that, it is not
so much that official vehicles of the Federal Ministry of Water
Resources were dishonestly made away with by retiring public servants.
“However, what is more significant is
the need to ask some questions and consistently interrogate how 40
government vehicles were removed without authorisation.”
He added: “It is also important to say
that in the fight against corruption, it is not so much about those who
dishonestly enriched themselves through government vehicles, but the
opportunities for corruption that made this corrupt act possible in the
first place.
“Consequently, there is also the need
for everyone to know that those who saw the vehicles being carted away
and said nothing are also part of the conspiracy for abuse of entrusted
office and property.
“It is binding on you to ensure that all
observations raised and subsequent recommendations made by the
commission are compiled with in future.”
Asked if the retired public officers
would be prosecuted, Abdullahi said: “Investigations are still ongoing,
we cannot take action until we have concluded the findings.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal
Ministry of Water Resources, Hajiya Rabi Jimeta, said the affected
retired officers acted with impunity.
Mrs. Jimeta said: “Some of the vehicles
carted away by the retired public officers were operational and utility
vehicles. We found ourselves strangulated, incapacitated and unable to
discharge our duties.
“Some of them took away as many vehicles as five. That was a clear case of impunity and irresponsibility.
“I was told that the officers
responsible had written, but those concerned refused to return the
vehicles. So, I was really delighted that ICPC got information and they
tracked these vehicles even to the remotest parts of the country.
“We thank ICPC; we appreciate this esteemed organisation for returning 40 vehicles to us.”
Responding to a question, the permanent
secretary said: “No former minister and no ex-permanent secretary was
involved. Those involved were mostly directors and others.
“Once an officer retires, if his vehicle
is not boarded, he or she is expected to return to the transport pool
of a ministry or agency.”
No comments:
Post a Comment