The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reiterated its dedication to strengthening its partnership with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to improve infrastructure development throughout the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Demola Bakare, the Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and Spokesperson for the Commission, highlighted the importance of the partnership.
During a recent meeting at the ICPC Headquarters, COREN’s President, Engr. Professor Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, and other senior officials discussed the value of their collaboration with ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN. He stated, “ICPC is committed to working with you, as you have the expertise and we have the power to enforce.”
The meeting aimed to evaluate and revise the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies, originally established in 2014, in order to tackle the current challenges and circumstances in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
Aliyu highlighted the critical importance of transparency and integrity in infrastructure projects, especially in road and building construction. He voiced his worries regarding the widespread issue of subpar infrastructure in the country and committed the Commission to enforcing adherence to established standards. He recognized that COREN’s expertise will play a vital role in the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Group (CEPTG) initiative.
Engr. Abubakar, representing COREN, emphasized the need to revise the MoU to ensure accountability for substandard projects. He suggested creating a joint committee to renew the agreement, remarking, “We need to enhance our partnership with the ICPC, as our predecessors recognized the significance of formalizing this relationship via an MoU.”
Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Okparaodu, Secretary to the Commission, DSSRS, endorsed the proposal to revise the MoU and praised COREN’s leadership for recognizing the concerns raised by the ICPC. He also assured that a committee would be formed to collaborate closely with the COREN team.
