Guardian

CHAIRMAN of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Barr. Ekpo Nta, has recommended that in trying to achieve accountability in the public service, incompetent chief executives who have no clue as to why they are in public service, should be eased out of their jobs.

The ICPC boss also advised that positive rewards for good performance and honesty should be encouraged while continuous performance reviews must be part of operations of the public service.

 Nta said these while speaking at the 11th Nigeria Development Forum (NDF 11) organised in Abuja by the African Centre for Resource Studies (ACRS) with the theme “Improving Government Accountability: Best Practices in Stewardship and Performance Oversight”.

“I reward performance through group-reward which ensures that laggards are sanctioned, monitored and assisted by their peers or work group. A commendation letter for some staff is worth more than monetary rewards”, he said.

In order to make the public service better and more accountable, Nta also state that improved accountability is essential for achieving high performance and that recruitment and employment regimes that attract, select and motivate best-qualified and capable people must be put in place.

“In ICPC I have tried as far as humanly possible to ensure fairness in this exercise at great personal discomfort. Do not please sectional and other interests because at the end of the day, these interests would not own up publicly that you did the wrongs on their behest”, he said.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who was at the event urged public office holders to discharge their duties with high sense of responsibility, saying that this is important to ensure accountability and the ability to do away with corruption.

President of ACRS, Chris Onwuka, in his welcome statement said that the Nigeria Development Forum is a platform for public sector executives, business corporation’s states and local councils around the country to get more involved in the growth and development of Nigeria.

He explained that since the public sector is the primary provider of many of the services that are critical to achieving a well-off society, the NDF would adopt a good working relationship among public sector executives and other public leaders with policy responsibilities.