PTAD Inaugurates Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU)

PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Ejikeme presented her opening remarks at the inauguration of PTAD’s reconstituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in Abuja recently.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has reconstituted the 2nd Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) is expected to be the Directorate’s watch dog in ensuring the maintenance of zero tolerance for fraud which PTAD is known for.

This is according to the Executive Secretary PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme during her opening remarks at the inauguration of ACTU members by the Honourable Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN).

She said “as an organisation that handles public funds, the need for transparency and accountability in our activities to engender public confidence, especially those of our stakeholders is a sine qua non. The ACTU has responsibility and performs duties as enshrined in the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 to ensure good governance which will help the Directorate and those who run it to continue to retain the trust of our pensioners.

In PTAD, we commit to ensuring the integrity of PTAD’s pension administration system so that Pensioners were assured that their entitlements will be processed and paid accurately, fully and on time”.

In his goodwill message, the Honorable Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, represented by Mr Demola Bakare (fsi) Deputy Director and Head, System Study Division, ICPC, this event has added drive to efforts of the ICPC and the Directorate in promoting and entrenching values of integrity, accountability and transparency in PTAD.

He also said “the war against corruption by the Federal Government and Anti-Corruption Agencies demands that all public institutions, public officers and managers of public funds, are in unison to diminish and eliminate the scourge of corruption.

The ACTU of this Directorate has always been a source of pride to the Commission in view of its past activities and achievements and has no doubt that the newly reconstituted unit, after this inauguration will carry on this positive legacy. The Unit fared well in areas of monitoring and investigations to eliminate pension scam. Going forward, the ACTU is advised to also prioritise other duties like the conducting Systems Study and Review into processes and procedures of the Directorate as well as constant sensitization of staff against the ills of corruption in the workplace which are still part of the preventive mechanism for which the ACTU was set up.

However, for the ACTU to continue to achieve this giant stride, I implore the Management not to relent in its support to the Unit by continuing to provide a conducive environment for the Unit to function, provision of funds and office accommodation as well as incorporating its members in various Standing Committees as provided for in the extant circular of government Ref No: OHCSF/SPSO/CSTD/314/T2/61 dated 5th October, 2016″.

In her acceptance speech, the ACTU Chairman, Mrs Ada Phil-Ugochukwu on behalf of the new members thanked the ES for her strong support to upholding one of the Directorate’s enduring core ideals – “Zero tolerance for fraud” and the ICPC for the inauguration.

She said “We stand before you today honored to have been chosen to serve PTAD and the Nigerian Public Service in general, to uphold the tenets of Anti-Corruption and Transparency.

PTAD continues to remain a Zero Tolerance for Fraud environment and a role model reform Agency for the Federal Government.

PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Ejikeme with the representative of the Honorable Chairman of ICPC, Mr Demola Bakare (FSL) Deputy Director and Head, System Study Division, ICPC.

ICPC Legal representative administering Oath of Allegiance on ACTU Members.

Group photograph of PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Ejikeme with the representative of the Honorable Chairman of ICPC, Mr Demola Bakare (fsi) Deputy Director and Head, System Study Division, ICPC, ACTU members as well PTAD and ICPC Management.

PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Ejikeme with members of PTAD’s reconstituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU)