Transparency key to sustainable railway growth, says Opeifa

The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has called on staff to embrace integrity, accountability and ethical conduct as part of efforts to promote transparency and sustainable growth within the Corporation. The call was made during a sensitisation programme organised by ACTU at the NRC headquarters in Lagos, where participants were educated on anti-corruption practices, work ethics and the importance of transparency in public service. In her welcome address, the Secretary of ACTU NRC, Barrister Feyisayo Nwabunor, said the unit was established to promote transparency, accountability and ethical standards across government institutions. She urged staff to uphold integrity, comply with regulations and place public interest above personal gain in the discharge of their duties. The programme came days after the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity during a courtesy visit by ACTU executives to his office. According to him, a modern and efficient railway system can only thrive when built on ethical practices, responsible management of public resources and the collective commitment of staff to uphold professionalism. Dr. Opeifa noted that transparency remains the foundation for a stronger, safer and more sustainable railway sector, stressing that every employee has a role to play in strengthening public trust and supporting the Corporation’s developmental goals. Delivering a paper titled “Work Ethics as a Panacea to Minimize Corruption,” Mrs. Rabiat Umar of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) identified bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, absenteeism and falsification of records as common forms of corruption that undermine organisational performance. She noted that integrity, discipline, professionalism, honesty and accountability remain effective tools for combating corruption and improving productivity. Speaking on the theme, “Transparency Today, Sustainable Railway Growth Tomorrow,” ACTU Chairman, Mrs. Clara Ndibe, described transparency as the bedrock of sustainable growth and institutional success. She warned against unethical practices such as revenue diversion, ticket racketeering, contract inflation, procurement irregularities and manipulation of records, noting that such acts weaken public trust and hinder service delivery. Mrs. Ndibe further stressed the need for transparency in ticket sales, cargo declarations and revenue collection, adding that corruption deprives the Corporation of opportunities for growth, improved welfare and infrastructure development. The programme ended with an interactive session during which participants discussed ethical standards, anti-corruption measures and the role of ACTU in promoting accountability within the Corporation. Participants commended the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial to NRC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen integrity, transparency and sustainable growth across the railway system.