Blue Economy Ministry Advises Staff To Shun Corruption

The permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Magdalene Ajani has urged staff of the Ministry to shun corruption and other corrupt practices.  

Dr. Ajani gave this admonition while giving her remark at a 2-day workshop organized by Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Special Duties Department of the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine & Blue Economy.  The workshop which took place at the Federal Ministry of Justice’ Conference Room at Abuja began on Monday, 23rd October, 2023 and is expected to end on Tuesday, 24th October, 2023.

The Permanent Secretary described the theme of the workshop which is Uprooting Corruption and Promoting Honesty and Integrity to be in line with the present administration’s focus on total eradication of corruption in the public sector.

Dr. Ajani revealed that corruption can manifest in forms of dishonesty and unethical behaviour by someone who is entrusted with a position of trust or authority but turns to be seeking personal gratification.

The Permanent Secretary stressed the need for staff of her Ministry to be more cautious on how they handle government properties which are entrusted to their care.

While delivering a welcome address, the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry, Mrs Vivian Nwosu said as part of the Head of Service’ initiatives on eliminating corruption and corrupt practices, the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy came up with a sensitization to enlighten its staff on how best to regard public trust.    

The chairman of Independent Corruption and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye who was represented at the event by Adebayo Obaniyi, who laid bare the negative effects of corruption: non-existent basis infrastructure, increase in insecurity, social unrest and growing negative image.  He decried wastefulness and lack of integrity displayed by government officials and public servants tasked with the mandate of managing public funds and resources.

The workshop opening featured lectures entitled “Uprooting Corruption and Promoting Honesty and Integrity”.  The second lecture featured enlightenment of staff on the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021 – 2025.  

There was also presentation of awards to deserving staff who displayed honesty and integrity.  These are Akpata Anthony, Principal Accountant in the Ministry; Peace Ogechi Umoh, a Chief Confidential Secretary; Uwakwe Patricia, a Chief Clerical Officer and Engr. Olaoye Jesudunsin, a Senior Mechanical Engineer.  The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani was also honoured for leading the management and staff of the ministry with integrity and transparency.

The staff of the Ministry seized the opportunity of the workshop to ask for clarifications on some issues bothering on Service welfare as well as how best to regard those who are posted out of the Ministry but refused to proceed on posting.