The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday, October 16, took a bold and courageous step in the fight against corruption with the elevation and inauguration of a standing committee on procurement and the launching of the PSC whistle blowing policy.
These developments, according to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, are tailored to improve transparency, accountability and integrity in the conduct of government business in the Commission.
The PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), who presided over the two ceremonies, expressed his readiness in blowing the whistle on any body found circumventing the approved financial regulations of the federal government.
He also announced that the staff should also feel free to blow the whistle on him if found in the wrong side of the regulation.
He said the Commission would work in adherence with corporate governance template and ensure that there is value for all government expenditures in the Commission.
The PSC Chairman stated further that the Commission would be at the forefront of government’s current war against corruption and called on the staff to set themselves free of all corrupt tendencies.
He warned that anyone caught would be prosecuted and, if found guilty, jailed.
The Standing Committee on Procurement is headed by the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, while the Director of the Department of Procurement, Mr. Aliyu Ahmad, as the Secretary.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the Commission’s whistle blowing policy is designed to support values, ensure the raising of concern by employees without fear of retribution and provide transparent and confidential process for raising concerns.
The Policy does not only cover any possible impropriety in matters of financial reporting, public service ethics and code of conduct, but also fraud, corruption, bribery and blackmail.
In addition, it will also cover such other areas as nepotism, criminal offences, failure to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, miscarriage of justice, endangering the safety of the individual, endangering any element of the environment and concealment of any of the improprieties identified.
The principles guiding the policy are, transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness, responsibility, consistency and equitability.
The Commission has also created grievance procedures, mandating anyone who reasonably believes and in good faith that malpractice exist in the workplace to report his or her concern to PSC Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit through the phone numbers 2348035921656 and 2348038866456.
