The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on corruption and pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to promote transparency and accountability in the state.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Peter Pereotubo Akpe, made the commitment when a delegation of the ICPC Rivers State Office, led by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Dr. Mrs Ekere Usiere, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The engagement was part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen collaboration with state governments and advance its preventive approach to combating corruption through public sensitisation and ethical governance.
Dr. Usiere commended the Deputy Governor for receiving the delegation and stressed the importance of cooperation between the ICPC and state governments in strengthening Nigeria’s integrity framework.
She highlighted the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, describing public enlightenment and the promotion of ethical values as critical components of sustainable anti-corruption efforts.
The RACC said the fight against corruption should go beyond enforcement to building a culture of accountability, transparency and integrity among citizens and public officials.
Responding, Akpe commended the ICPC for its vigilance and proactive approach to preventing corrupt practices, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to probity.
“Our administration operates a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. We are wholly prepared to collaborate with the ICPC in this collective endeavour,” the Deputy Governor said.
He added that the state government would leverage the Ministry of Information, Orientation and Strategy to strengthen public enlightenment campaigns and promote awareness of the dangers of corruption and the importance of ethical conduct.
The meeting, held at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Room, was attended by senior officials of the state government, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimbofa Ayawei.
Both parties expressed commitment to intensifying grassroots orientation and promoting institutional measures that would strengthen ethical governance and accountability in Bayelsa State.
