The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption has charged the Ministry of Interior and the services under it to ensure efficient service delivery to Nigerians.
Prof. Femi Odekunle, who led members of the committee on a visit to the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.- Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, said that the visit was part of a one-day interactive session with the ministry’s officials.
Odekunle said that the session was important due to the strategic nature of the ministry and the services under it.
”This session is very important considering the fact that agencies under the Ministry such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Prisons Service (NIS) are largely seen by many as the face of the Nigerian government.
“Due to their broad-based interaction with the populace as well as their functionality in the Criminal Justice System,” he said.
Odekunle stressed the need to articulate the nexus between corruption and poor service delivery with a view to tackling it head-long to boost safety and security in the country.
He said this would in turn fast track the needed inflow of direct foreign investment into the country.
He also emphasised the need for reforms in the ministry and its agencies, as this would also help to boost citizen’s confidence in government.
The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, admitted that the ministry and the five agencies under it were largely seen as the most visible face of government in a democracy.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the services under the ministry conformed with ethical service standards which revolved around responsibility, accountability and transparency.
The session was attended by the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Muhammadu Maccido as well the Comptrollers- General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Immigration, the Federal Fire Service, and representatives of the Police and the NSCDC. (NAN)
MUYI/AMY/AMY