By Ebinum Samuel
The Police Service Commission today, Wednesday, October 16th 2024 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 are tailored to improve transparency, accountability and integrity in the conduct of government business in the Commission. The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni who presided over the two ceremonies said he is ready to blow 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 at the wrong side of the Regulation.
He said the Commission will work in adherence with Corporate Governance template and ensure that there is value for all government expenditures in the Commission. According to the Commission Spokesman Ikechukwuu Ani, the PSC Chairman said the Commission will be at the forefront of Government’s current war against corruption and called on the Staff to free themselves of all corrupt tendencies as any one 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 with the Director of the Department of Procurement, Mr. Aliyu Ahmad as the Secretary. The Commission’s Whistle blowing Policy is designed to support values, ensure employees can raise concern 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 will also cover fraud, corruption, bribery and blackmail. 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 should report his or her concern to PSC Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit 2348035921656, 2348038866456