Most MDAs Lack Fraud Prevention Strategies, Says ICPC

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A recent ethics and integrity compliance assessment conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on 108 federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAS) has revealed that most of them lack fraud prevention strategies, including checks and balances, periodic published audited accounts, and stock verification systems among others.

In spite of the current administration stance on anticorruption, most of the MDAs also do not have well-articulated whistleblowing mechanism/ policies as well a functional and effective asset verification units.

According to the assessment which was obtained by THISDAY, the ICPC conducted an ‘Ethics and Integrity Compliance’ scorecard on 108 government organisations based on corporate governance indicators, which showed that only 27 MDAs are fully compliant with standards of ethics and integrity in their management, finance and administration systems.

From 19 government ministries assessed, none scored full compliance while only five scored between 70 and 95 per cent with substantial compliance. Eleven ministries scored 50 to 69 per cent while two non-complying ministries scored between 1 to 49 per cent, leaving one ministry non-responsive.

The report listed five best performing ministries with sound financial management systems as the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, 38.6 per cent; Ministry of Finance, 38.4 per cent; Ministry of Petroleum Resources, 37.8 per cent; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 36.6 per cent, and Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, 36 4 per cent.

The best performing ministries in terms of good administrative systems are the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, 24.9 per cent; Ministry of Finance, 20.9 per cent; Ministry of Petroleum Resources, 20.8 per cent;