The Federal Ministry of Power has intensified efforts to tackle corruption and the vandalism of electricity infrastructure by seeking stronger collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The move was announced during a familiarisation visit by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, and senior ministry officials to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where they met with the commission’s Secretary, Mr Clifford Oparaodu.
Tegbe said the ministry considers the anti-corruption agency a critical partner in its drive to improve governance and accountability across the electricity sector.
He described the ICPC as “one of the key institutions of government with which the Ministry must build a strong working relationship to enhance accountability in the power sector.”
According to the minister, the ministry cannot effectively address many of the sector’s challenges without the commission’s support.
He said the ministry “requires the Commission’s guidance, support and partnership in addressing challenges confronting the sector, particularly as it strives to improve electricity generation and service delivery.”
Tegbe blamed a significant portion of the country’s electricity problems on attacks targeting power infrastructure, noting that “about 30 per cent of the challenges facing the power sector stem from vandalism”, while adding that “the Ministry has several cases requiring the Commission’s guidance in navigating the appropriate anti-corruption and enforcement processes.”
He also revealed that electricity generation has now surpassed the 5,000-megawatt mark and expressed optimism that sustained cooperation with the ICPC would help preserve the gains.
“We need people like you with the requisite experience to support us, and we look forward to forging a sustainable and long-term relationship with the Commission”, he said.
In his response, Oparaodu praised the ministry’s commitment to accountability and pledged the commission’s support in strengthening integrity within the power sector.
He expressed confidence that “improved power supply would stimulate industrial growth, create more employment opportunities and boost national economic development.”
The ICPC secretary also noted that the commission’s responsibilities extend beyond prosecution, stressing that “He explained that the ICPC’s tripartite mandate of enforcement, prevention and public education places the Commission in a strategic position to collaborate with the Ministry of Power across all three areas.”
He further assured the ministry that the commission would ensure contractors and other parties entrusted with public resources are held accountable.
“He assured the delegation that, through its enforcement mandate, the Commission would support the Ministry in ensuring that contractors and other stakeholders handling government resources are held accountable and prevented from defrauding the government”, the statement noted.
