From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC) appealed to 27 local government Chairmen and their Directors to manage their councils with integrity, to make the commission’s job easier.
The appeal was made by the Executive Chairman of the Commission Barrister Salisu Abdu, during a high level sensitization workshop for public office holders of 27 local government Council, held at Manpower Development Institute Dutse.
Barrister Abdu who said protection of public trust will ease their jobs, added that, the commission is not established to witchaunt anybody or any Local Government Councils or any government agency as targets for prosecution, but as partners in progress for better Jigawa State.
“Today, I want to widen that lens. In particular, I want to state categorically that the Commission does not view the Local Government Councils or any government agency as targets for prosecution, but as partners in progress.
“When you manage your councils with integrity, you make our job much easier. When you protect the public trust, you fulfil the vision of His Excellency, Governor Umar A. Namadi FCA.
“For the purpose of clarity, our mandate under the JSPCACC Law 1 of 2022 is dimensional with specific reference to: Prevention, Redress (Ombudsman) and Enforcement”, he said.
The Executive Chairman added that the commission cannot achieve it’s mission alone. It must therefore be through stakeholders’ contributions, therefore this workshop is designed to bring together the 27 Local Government Councils of the State, the closest tier of government to our people, into the heart of this crusade.
“Therefore, our gathering today is to help you build systems that make corruption impossible. Through our “System Studies” and “Risk Assessments,” we act as your institutional doctors, diagnosing vulnerabilities before they become crimes.
“We are also the bridge between the government and the governed. When a citizen in a remote village in Taura, Kaugama or Sule Tankarkar or any part of the State feels cheated by a local administrative decision, we provide a platform for justice at no cost. However, where the public trust is intentionally betrayed, the law must take its course.
While delivering his speech, the Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi who was represented by the State Attorney general urged the local government council Chairmen to cooperate with commission.
According to him, the commission has, recovered over ₦385 Million in public and private funds, It has also received over 400 complaints and resolved many of them, including 107 cases through peaceful mediation. This record is a testament that in this administration, there are no “sacred cows.”
