The House of Representatives on Thursday said it is set to investigate the activities of Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTU) across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

This followed the adoption of two separate motions at the plenary session presided over by the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The scope of the investigation would focus on cases of alleged age falsification among civil servants within the MDAs.

The House directed the Committee on Public Service Matters, Special Duties, Federal Character, and National Planning and Economic Development to invite the Head of Service of the Federation to provide comprehensive details of all civil servants assigned to the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) for verification to track down the offenders.

The committees are also to investigate the Head of Civil Service of the Federation?s Report.

Moving the motion to investigate the anti-corruption units, Hon Shehu Umar Ajilo (PDP, Kaduna) recalled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission requested the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Transparency Unit, popularly referred to as ACTU, in all MDAs to help in the fight against corruption.

He stated that on October 2, 2001, and April 16, 2003, two circulars were issued for the establishment and funding of the units, respectively, adding that another circular was issued on October 5, 2016, re-emphasizing both the establishment and funding of the units in all MDAs.

According to him, ?the ACTUs in each organization are expected to operate as an autonomous outfit of which its independence and protection shall be guaranteed.?

He said that the unit was supposed to be the watchdog or an anti-corruption division saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and reporting any matter that is regarded as a corrupt practice to the ICPC for further action;

According to him, ?Worried that despite these circulars and efforts, corrupt practices persist in most MDAs, and if not checked, corruption will continue forever.?

In his submission, Hon Yusuf Ahmed Badau described the Federal Civil Service as the heartbeat of the Public Service Administration in the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary, adding that the roles of civil servants constitute the foundation of nation-building; consequently, the strong and viable public service system is needed to promote effective and efficient public service to the country.

He pointed out that the primary responsibility of the Legislative Arm of Government in Nigeria was to monitor and investigate violations of laws enacted by it, which include matters pertaining to age falsification and other matters related to public service in Nigeria.

Hon Badau added that the rising number of unemployment caused by age falsification was highly of concern required which required urgent investigation and prosecution.

He expressed deep concern that in the last quarter of 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report indicated that the unemployment rate had risen by 5.3%, making Nigeria one of the countries with the most unemployed populace in the African continent.

He said the number of graduates without jobs was extremely worrying, requiring swift action to address the issue through investigation and prosecution of age falsification offenders to create space for bright new minds to impart in the productivity and prosperity of the public service in Nigeria. (Nigerian Tribune)

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