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ICPC drives accountability reforms in Kaduna LGAs

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has called for stronger measures to strengthen accountability and transparency in local government administrations in Kaduna State.

Mr Sakaba Ishaku, the Resident Commissioner of the ICPC, said this on Wednesday at a two-day capacity building workshop in Kaduna, organised by the State Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, in collaboration with the ICPC and Al Nameer Ideal Concept Limited.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, with the theme ‘Accountability in Local Government: A Spring Board for National Development’, drew participants including elected local government officials and other stakeholders across the local governments.

Ishaku said that corruption in Nigeria was endemic and deeply entrenched across governance and society due to weak institutions and lack of accountability.

He added that corruption diverted public resources, fuels poverty, triggers conflicts and hinders national economic development at all levels.

He equally said that corruption affected public administration, law enforcement and the judiciary, ranging from petty offences to grand corruption involving huge financial losses.

Ishaku said that massive wealth was rarely acquired without criminal elements and urged scrutiny of even inherited wealth to understand its origins.

He said that not everyone wanted to hear about fighting corruption because such arrangements benefited a few people to the detriment of the wider society.

He described the engagement as a landmark event that would transform approaches to local government administration in Kaduna State.

Ishaku said that everyone desired a good life but it could not be achieved without sacrifice, commitment and hard work in public service.

He added that if laws were strictly applied, many people openly moving around would be in custody for their unlawful actions.

The resident commissioner said punishments for corruption must be commensurate with offences, noting that light sentences for large thefts weaken deterrence.

He said it was disheartening when council chairmen complete their terms without pointing to any legacy projects that benefit their communities.

He directed that all major capital disbursements to local governments must be tied to specific projects to allow proper monitoring and evaluation.

He said the ICPC project tracking initiative has successfully compelled contractors to return to abandoned projects and complete stalled works.

Ishaku recalled that under the leadership of Dr Musa Aliyu SAN, the commission launched the Anti Corruption Prevention Programme for the 774 local governments across Nigeria.

He urged that the project tracking model be replicated in Kaduna State to improve transparency and project delivery.

Ishaku said the programme would help check impunity in councils and urged participants to support its full implementation in Kaduna State.

He added that the engagement reflects the resolve to promote accountability and transparency by taking the anti corruption fight to the grassroots.

He emphasised that the goal is to ensure public resources translate into visible development and national economic transformation.

Ishaku said the commission remains ready to sustain synergy with stakeholders to curb corruption in Kaduna State.

He called for a review of existing laws to strengthen penalties and close gaps that allow corruption to thrive.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, said Kaduna is the gateway to northern Nigeria and plays a key role in domestic economic activities.

He said that roads linking Kaduna were heavily used by trucks and tankers, showing the challenge of moving goods and sustaining the regional economy.

He emphasised that Nigeria had huge potential and is among the richest countries, but progress requires quality leadership in elective and appointive offices.

Mamman-Lagos said that the citizens should not wait for government alone and must support development through responsibility and community participation.

He said that the ministry saved over N8billion through repairs and revitalisation of facilities in several local government areas.

He listed areas including Zangon Kataf, Kachia and Soba, where infrastructure and power supply were restored.

The commissioner said that communities vandalised and stole transformers and public equipment, undermining the benefits of government interventions.

He explained that elected leaders and the public must develop stronger awareness to protect infrastructure and public investments.

Mamman-Lagos lamented that theft of public projects, billboards and installations forces government to spend more on security and replacement.

He urged agencies to collaborate with ministries and local governments and provide moral and financial support for awareness campaigns.

Mamman-Lagos said that such campaigns should be taken down to local governments to educate communities on protecting public assets.

He called for stronger partnerships to improve accountability and governance.(NAN)