By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to begin monitoring education-related projects across Borno State to promote transparency, accountability and quality service delivery in primary and secondary schools. The ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, disclosed this on Wednesday shortly after a sensitisation meeting with directors and staff of the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Maiduguri. Gubbi said the meeting provided an opportunity for the commission to collaborate with SUBEB on knowledge sharing, particularly on procurement guidelines and strengthening whistle-blowing mechanisms.
He said the engagement was aimed at sensitising the board’s management and staff on the Federal Government’s National Ethics and Integrity Policy, while promoting transparency, professionalism and accountability in the education sector. “The aim is to sensitise the management and staff of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board on the core values of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy of the Federal Government, and also inculcate transparency, integrity and professionalism in the delivery of services in the educational sector in Borno State,” he said. On project monitoring, the ICPC commissioner said the initiative would commence after approval from the commission’s headquarters.
“Subject to approval from headquarters, we may begin to monitor projects embarked upon by Borno SUBEB, just the way we track constituency and executive projects at the headquarters,” he said. He explained that the commission’s focus would include visible projects such as classroom blocks and other infrastructure used for teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. Gubbi assured SUBEB officials that the commission remained committed to protecting whistle-blowers, stressing that collective efforts were required to tackle corruption in the country.
“There are several laws that protect whistle-blowers and informants from keeping information. When you see something, you say something. There are several safeguards within the ICPC laws that protect people who volunteer information that will lead to recovery of assets,” he said.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of Borno SUBEB, Dr. Hyelni Mshelia, described the sensitisation session…
Summary from source