By Constance Athekame
The Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) on Tuesday unveiled it’s anti-corruption policy documents to ensure transparency and accountability in the discharge of its responsibilities.
The document has four policies which include the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, the Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Policy, the Conflict of Interest Policy as well as the Whistleblowing Policy.
Speaking at the ceremony, in Abuja, the Managing Director of TCN, Mr Sule Abdulaziz said that the unveiling was significant because it reaffirms the collective commitment of management and staff of the company in upholding transparency and accountability,.
Abdulaziz represented by the Executive Director, Human Resources of TCN, Mrs Abiodun Afolabi-Fadahunsi said that the unveiling also reaffirmed the company’s integrity, and ethical conduct in discharging our responsibilities.
He said that TCN as a company entrusted with a critical responsibility in the country electricity supply value chain, it recognises that its credibility rests not only on what it achieve but also on how it was achieved.
”We must therefore continue to remind ourselves of the need to always conduct our affairs with integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of responsibility.
”Every anti – corruption programme reminds us that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility, requiring the commitment and cooperation of
management and staff,”he said..
”’It equally requires that we create an environment in which ethical conduct is not merely encouraged but firmly embedded in our company’s culture,”he said.
The managing director said that the policies would provide a clear framework for the expected standards of conduct and reinforce the principles that should guide TCN’S decisions, relationships and operations.
According to him, TCN’S, objective as management goes beyond preventing corrupt practices as we seek to strengthen a culture in which honesty, fairness, accountability, transparency and professionalism are consistently demonstrated in our day-to-day actions.
”As we unveil this policy document, I urge every member of staff to take time to familiarise themselves with these policies and, more importantly, work towards ensuring that the provisions are reflected in our daily decisions and conduct.
” It is important that we imbibe and practice them because policies are only meaningful when they are understood, embraced and faithfully implemented.
”Let me take this opportunity to appreciate the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, and everyone who contributed to developing and producing this important document. Your efforts are commendable,’he said.
The TCN ACTU, Chairman, Mrs Benibo Erakevwe said that corruption remains one of the greatest challenges to effective governance, organisational growth and sustainable development, among others.
She said that corruption also undermines trust, weakens institutions, wastes valuable resources and creates an environment where unethical practices can thrive.
”For these reasons, the fight against corruption cannot be left to a few individuals, departments or members of ACTU. It requires the commitment and participation of every one of us in TCN and by extension, all citizens of Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the policy documents is to provide members of staff of TCN a structured framework for preventing, identifying, reporting and appropriately responding to corrupt and unethical practices.
She said that the documents would also clarify the company’s responsibilities and reinforce the standards of conduct expected from every member of the organisation.
”However, a policy document, no matter how well written, cannot achieve its purpose simply by being printed or placed on a shelf. Its real value lies in how faithfully we implement and uphold it.
”The success of these policies will therefore depend on our willingness to translate their principles into our everyday decisions, actions and relationships.
As we unveil these documents today, let us see them as a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult; a commitment to rejecting bribery, fraud, favouritism, abuse of office and other forms of misconduct.
”Let it be a commitment to building an organization where integrity is not merely encouraged but expected,”it said.
