The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Muhammed Bello-Shehu, has warned staff of the commission against abuse of office, conflict of interest, favouritism and manipulation of official processes, stressing that integrity and adherence to due process are essential to sustaining public confidence in Nigeria’s revenue management system.
Bello-Shehu gave the warning in Kaduna while declaring open a five-day training programme organised for RMAFC staff by the commission’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit.
The training focuses on revenue integrity, institutional accountability, anti-corruption practices and the strengthening of internal controls within the commission.
Represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Ismail Mohammed-Agaka, the chairman said RMAFC’s constitutional responsibilities place the commission at the centre of the country’s fiscal governance architecture and therefore demand the highest standards of integrity from its personnel.
He urged officers of the commission to uphold fairness, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities, stressing that corruption is not limited to bribery or direct misappropriation of public funds.
According to him, corruption may also manifest through deliberate violation of procedures, abuse of authority, conflict of interest, favouritism and manipulation of official processes in ways capable of eroding public confidence.
“The fight against corruption is not the responsibility of ACTU or ICPC alone. It is a personal and institutional responsibility,” Bello-Shehu said.
He urged participants to make practical use of the knowledge acquired during the programme and ensure that integrity guides their decisions and accountability defines their actions.
The chairman said RMAFC officers must conduct themselves as “persons above reproach”, given the sensitive role the commission plays in revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal management.
Earlier, the Director of Audit and Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, Dr Idris Yusuf Musa, said the training formed part of ongoing efforts to institutionalise transparency, accountability and ethical conduct within RMAFC.
Musa warned participants against practices capable of undermining due process or damaging the credibility of the commission.
“Our conduct must always justify the public trust reposed in us,” he said.
He commended the management of RMAFC for supporting the programme and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for its partnership in promoting integrity and accountability in the public service.
She said the knowledge acquired would assist staff in identifying and addressing abuse of office and other conduct capable of compromising institutional integrity.
She said the knowledge acquired would assist staff in identifying and addressing abuse of office and other conduct capable of compromising institutional integrity.
Another participant, Aminu Ibrahim Imam, a manager in the Audit Department and a chartered accountant, said accountability, transparency and integrity remain essential to the effective operation of public institutions.
Imam said the principles were particularly important to RMAFC because of its responsibilities in revenue mobilisation, collection and the promotion of fiscal efficiency.
He added that their effective application would contribute to better management of public resources and help ensure value for money.
The five-day programme is being attended by staff from the commission’s headquarters as well as its offices across the North-West.