The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed determination to sanction corrupt state Houses of Assembly members.
Musa Aliyu, the chairman of ICPC, communicated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for Jigawa State legislators themed “Transparency and Accountability: Effective Legislative Tools Towards Successful Mandate Delivery.’’
Mr Musa expressed concern over the level of corruption in the country and stressed the need for the legislators to live above board and be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.
The chairman pledged the commission’s readiness to partner with the state legislative arm of government to fight corruption.
“We are ready to partner with the state legislature to advance the fight against corruption as we have done and are still doing with other arms and tiers of government.
“However, we will succeed in wielding the big stick when the occasion demands that we do so,” he stated.
He said the ICPC would continue to carry out its three-pronged mandate of enforcement, prevention, public education and mass mobilisation within the confines of the law.
Mr Musa said the interest and unity of the country, as demonstrated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, should override the personal and collective interests of members of this critical arm of government.
“The principle of separation of powers must be respected and observed; encroaching on the functions of the executive and judiciary undermines democracy and good governance.
“Additionally, the legislature is expected to detect waste, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, corruption and mismanagement of public resources.
“However, these functions can only be effectively discharged by the legislative arm of government if it embraces transparency and accountability in its operations; this is why this workshop is so important,” he said.
The Jigawa House of Assembly speaker, Haruna Dangyatin, who Deputy Speaker Sani Abubakar represented, said the workshop was timely and
perfect for all the members.
He promised the assembly’s collaboration with the ICPC in its fight against corruption, making laws to address the menace in every sector.
(NAN)
