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Nwachukwu Demands Stronger Systems To Block Diversion Of LG Funds
Nwachukwu Demands Stronger Systems To Block Diversion Of LG Funds
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ICPC Begins 2-day Anti-corruption sensitisation for Abia LG officials
UMUAHIA — Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, has called for stronger systems that make it difficult for public resources to be diverted or mismanaged at the local government level.
Nwachukwu made the call while declaring open a two-day anti-corruption sensitisation programme organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the Abia State local government administration at the JAAC Building Hall, Umuahia.
“Effective internal controls, proper documentation, and compliance with extant regulations are essential safeguards for every administration,” he said.
Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He warned executive mayors and senior officials that delegating responsibility does not mean abandoning oversight, urging them to insist on proper records and transparent procurement processes.
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“You must know what is happening in your local government. You must insist on proper records. Transparency, procurement processes are very serious. The records will continue to speak even after you are no longer there,” he said.
“We are here today. Tomorrow we will not be here. Because there were people who were here before us. So we all need to take it upon ourselves to keep the records right.”
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Lady Oge Maduka Permanent Secretary
Nwachukwu commended the ICPC for initiating the engagement, saying it shows that effective corruption prevention requires not only enforcement, but sustained engagement with public institutions.
He said Governor Alex Otti has set a clear direction for governance in Abia State, anchored on discipline, transparency and a commitment to delivering measurable results.
“In the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, this is not merely a policy statement. It is a standard that guides our operations and processes in local government,” he said.
Some participants at the event
He said elected officials and local government officers are no longer expected to function simply as administrators, but must become effective drivers of development and economic opportunity.
He noted that the state is already pursuing initiatives in agriculture, human development, rural infrastructure and rural development, which require substantial resources, coordination and responsible management.
“Let me make one point very clear. The success of any government programme is not determined by the amount of money released. A project that exists only on paper is not development,” he said.
He said he expects the training to provide practical guidance, particularly in areas where public officers may be uncertain about their obligations under the law, and that the knowledge gained must translate into improvement in the way local governments conduct their business.
“We cannot continue to attend workshops and continue doing exactly what we were doing before. There must be a difference,” he said.
Nwachukwu directed the Ministry, working with the ICPC, to provide practical recommendations that can strengthen administrative and financial control systems across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He assured the ICPC of the state’s readiness to continue to cooperate in promoting integrity and institutional accountability, and urged participants to give the engagement the seriousness it deserves.
“The responsibility of building a credible and effective local government system belongs to all of us,” he said.
In her goodwill message, the ICPC representative, Chinwe Egbeocha, thanked the Commissioner and the Ministry for expanding the programme to include all local government structures and making it a two-day seminar.
She said the Commissioner, by embracing the programme, showed he is ready to fight corruption and is a man of integrity.
She disclosed that the ICPC office covering Imo and Abia States had been working in Imo State, and this is the first time it is coming to Abia State for such a sensitisation.
“This is the first place we are coming, and we like the reception. We are also happy that many people are in the hall, even before we came,” Egbeocha said.
She warned that it would not be business as usual, urging participants to pay attention and ask questions about corruption.
“This is an opportunity for some of you seeing ICPC staff in person, and an opportunity for you to ask all the questions agitating your minds about corruption. We are not going to talk about politics,” she said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, appreciated the ICPC for initiating the programme and reaching out to the Ministry, and thanked the Commissioner for his leadership and support.
Maduka said under Governor Otti, Abia State has placed renewed emphasis on transparency, accountability and doing things differently, and officials must reflect those values in their daily responsibilities.
She encouraged participants to participate actively and ask practical questions.
“Please, do not be afraid to ask questions because the ICPC officials are here. It is better to ask them difficult questions here today than to have to answer them in their own office tomorrow,” she said.
“Our goal should be to leave here very informed and more committed to building a public service where integrity is the way of life.”
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