Yemisi Izuora
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said it is stepping up the fight against corruption in all Its facets as it has declared zero tolerance for all forms of malpractices, its Managing Director, Mr Umaru Ibrahim, declared at the inauguration of the re-constituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Corporation.
A statement by Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, NDIC Head of Communication and Public Affairs, said that the unit was inaugurated by Mr Abdullahi Bako, Acting Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), who was represented by the Head, ACTU, Mr Justin Kuatsea.
Ibrahim said that based on its mandate and supervisory activities, NDIC was at the forefront in the fight against corruption through the enforcement of good corporate governance, transparency and accountability.
This, he said, was necessary to minimise the risk of bank failures, protect depositors and ensure safety and soundness of the financial system.
“The inauguration of the ACTU is a good development as it would further strengthen the corporation’s resolve and its partnership with other government agencies involved in the anti-corruption fight.
“This is aimed at promoting credible and effective service delivery in the public sector.”
Ibrahim said that NDIC had been organising annual capacity building seminars for strategic stakeholders such as the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Special Fraud Unit and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in the area of financial crime investigation.
He expressed the readiness of the organisation to sustain its participation in the capacity building programmes organised by the ICPC Training Academy.
Responding, Bako said ACTU was created by the ICPC in 2001 in all government agencies to curb corrupt practices and to establish transparent processes and procedures in the public sector.
He commended the NDIC for its commitment to transparency and accountability in the discharge of its regulatory responsibilities.
He expressed optimism that the inauguration of the unit would create synergy for effective collaboration between the two agencies.