PTAD inaugurates Anti-Corruption unit to boost operational transparency

Philip Clement, Abuja

In an effort to enhance transparency in it’s operations, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has inaugurated it’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

Speaking during the inauguration at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme said if it was imperative for the Directorate to inaugurate the Unit being that the agency handles public funds.

“As an Organization that handles Public funds, the need for transparency and accountability in our activities to engender public confidence, especially those of our stakeholders is a sine qua non.

“The ACTU has responsibility and performs duties as enshrined in the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 to ensure good governance which will help the Directorate and those who run it to continue to retain the trust of Pensioners.

“In PTAD, we commit to ensuring the Integrity of PTAD’s pension administration system so that Pensioners bare rest assured that their entitlements will be processed and paid accurately, fully and on time,” the ES explained.

She added that the ACTU is expected to be the Directorates watchdog in ensuring the maintenance of zero tolerance for fraud which PTAD is known for.

In a remarks, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, said that the event has added drive to efforts of the directorate in promoting and entrenching values of integrity, accountability and transparency in PTAD.

Owasanoye who was represented by Mr Demola Bakare, Deputy Director and Head, System Study Division, said that the war against corruption by the Federal Government and Anti-Corruption Agencies demands that all public institutions, public officers and managers of public funds, are in unison to diminish and eliminate the scourge of corruption.

“ The ACTU of this directorate has always been a source of pride to the commission in view of its past activities and achievements and has no doubt that the newly reconstituted unit, after this inauguration willcarry on this positive legacy.

“ The unit fared well in areas of monitoring and investigations to eliminate pension scam. Going forward, the ACTU is advised to also prioritise other duties like the conducting systems study and review into processes and procedures of the directorate as well as constant sensitization of staff against the ills of corruption in the workplace which are still part of the preventive mechanism for which the ACTU was set up.

“ For the ACTU to continue to achieve this giant stride, I implore the management not to relent in its support to the Unit by continuing to provide a conducive environment for the unit to function, provision of funds and office accommodation as well as incorporating its members in various standing committees as provided for in the extant circular of government,”

In her acceptance remarks, the newly inaugurated Chairman of Unit, Mrs. Ada Phil-Ugochukwu acknowledged the Directorates stand of “Zero Tolerance for Fraud”

She assured that she and her team will synergize with relevant departments and ensure that PTAD continues to remain an agency that encodes zero tolerance for fraud in line with the federal government’s anti corruption agenda.