The Borno State Office of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in their operations, as part of efforts to bolster public trust and enhance service delivery.
Delivering the keynote address in a sensitisation lecture and interactive session, at the NCS Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Borno and Yobe States in northern Nigeria, Mr. Linus Gubbi, underscored that integrity, transparency, and accountability remain the cornerstone of effective public administration.
He stressed that public officers must consistently demonstrate professionalism and remain answerable for their actions and decisions, noting that corruption not only erodes institutional credibility but also hampers national development.
“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility,” Mr. Gubbi said, urging officers to see themselves as ambassadors of ethical governance.
The RACC further called on NCS personnel to embrace preventive measures against corrupt practices and to actively support initiatives that promote good governance within the public sector.
He emphasised that public officers must consistently demonstrate professionalism and remain accountable for their actions and decisions in the discharge of their duties, as public confidence in government institutions hinges largely on the ethical conduct of its workforce.
Responding on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, A.M. Idris, the Command expressed profound appreciation to the ICPC for the timely and insightful engagement.
The Controller reaffirmed the Service’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in all facets of its operations and pledged continued collaboration with the Commission in advancing anti-corruption reforms and institutional strengthening.
Delivering a paper entitled, ‘Enhancing Integrity and Accountability in Customs Operations: Promoting Transparency and Ethical Practices’, the Assistant Chief Superintendent (ACS) Abba Dzikwi, highlighted the imperative of transparency in customs processes, strict adherence to ethical codes, and the avoidance of practices that could undermine public confidence.
He further encouraged officers to embrace institutional reforms that strengthen efficiency and accountability across all levels of operations.
According to local media reports, the sensitisation programme reaffirms the ICPC’s unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability across public institutions in Borno State and beyond.
It added that te programme aligns with the Commission’s broader mandate to combat corruption and entrench ethical governance at all levels of public service, marking yet another significant step in the nation’s ongoing anti-corruption crusade.
GIK/APA