Follow Us on Google
As anti-graft agencies continue to beam their searchlight on corrupt past and present public office holders, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has restated readiness to train Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC) staff on how to identify and avoid corrupt practices.
Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RAAC), Lagos Office, Mr. Alexander Chukwumah, who made this known during a recent courtesy visit to managing director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa in Lagos said the commission will train staff of NRC on how to identify and avoid practices that could expose them to corruption-related offences.
According to him, the initiative forms part of the commission’s public education and enlightenment mandate aimed at encouraging Nigerians and public institutions to uphold integrity and avoid corrupt practices.
The commissioner urged NRC management to work closely with the corporation’s anti-corruption and transparency unit noting that members of the unit have been trained to detect early warning signs and red flags that could help management prevent minor lapses from escalating into major institutional crises.
He explained that the visit was also intended to strengthen cordial relationship between ICPC and Nigerian Railway Corporation, as well as reciprocate the goodwill previously extended by the corporation to the commission.
“ICPC is committed to ensuring that NRC workers stay out of trouble. There are ways we can guide you and your team to avoid actions that could expose them to corruption risks,” Chukwumah said.
In his response, managing director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed readiness to work closely with the commission to deepen transparency within the corporation.
He noted that the railway sector would have recorded even greater progress if corruption had not historically hindered development in the system.
Opeifa also enjoined ICPC to organize a capacity-building programme for the corporation’s heads of departments and senior management staff to help them better understand pitfalls that could lead to errors of judgment in the course of their duties.
The NRC boss identified vandalism of railway infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting the corporation adding that the destruction of critical railway assets continues to place pressure on operations and service delivery.
As part of campaign to discourage the menace, Opeifa presented anti-vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation with the inscription: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”
He emphasized that the corporation maintains a strict internal disciplinary regime against collusion or sabotage, noting that any staff found culpable risks immediate dismissal.
Opeifa also commended the dedication of NRC staff, particularly the engineers, whose commitment has ensured that railway services continue to operate despite operational challenges.
