Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the days of handling public money in cash are over in his administration. According to him, the government has now fully transitioned to a digital revenue collection system where every payment — no matter how small — goes through a secure electronic platform.
“Whether it is ₦100 or ₦200,000, every payment is made through a secure electronic platform,” he said. “No government revenue is collected manually.”
He made this known on Wednesday when he hosted the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Adamu Aliyu, SAN, at the Government House, Enugu.
Mbah told his guest that the state’s governance model was built on three pillars: transparency, accountability, and traceability of public funds. He said institutional reforms and technological innovations were at the heart of his anti-corruption stance.
“In Enugu, we operate a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. We have established systems that transcend individuals,” he added.
Mbah recalled that within hours of taking the oath of office, he signed his first Executive Order, a document that legally compels his government to give periodic accounts to the people.
“Two hours after my oath of office, I signed Executive Order 001, which is one of the Citizens’ Charters,” the governor said. “That document binds me to render periodic accounts to the people of Enugu, reporting every naira received and how it is spent.”
Transparency and Public Trust
Governor Mbah explained that town hall meetings and regular stakeholder engagements are tools his government uses to stay connected with citizens and ensure transparency. He believes open communication builds trust and encourages civic participation.
He also linked his government’s transparency drive to Enugu’s long-term economic vision. His goal is to expand the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years.
“Our target is to grow Enugu’s economy… But investors don’t follow promises; they follow systems — the rule of law, ease of doing business, and transparency. That is what we are deliberately building in Enugu,” he said.
Mbah praised the regional anti-corruption roundtable hosted in Enugu between the ICPC and Attorneys General from the South East. He called the forum timely and aligned with the vision of his administration.
ICPC Seeks Stronger State Partnerships
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Adamu Aliyu, SAN, expressed admiration for Governor Mbah’s efforts in fighting corruption. He urged stronger collaboration between the Commission and the state government, especially at the sub-national level.
“We are not here in competition. We believe in partnership,” he said. “ICPC is here to strengthen its working relationship with the state, and support the government in institutionalizing strong anti-corruption mechanisms.”
Aliyu lamented the harm corruption has done to Nigeria’s development and global reputation. According to him, it not only discourages foreign investors but also weakens public trust.
“Corruption does not only blight our reputation among the comity of nations, it also impedes the flow of foreign direct investment, and undermines public trust,” he said.
He called on state Attorneys General and Legal Advisers to take a lead role in strengthening anti-corruption institutions and laws.
“There is no way we can achieve our goals, especially at the sub-national level, without working closely with the Chief Law Officers of the state,” he said. “They are the closest to the governors and guide legal and institutional responses to corruption.”
Dr. Aliyu concluded by urging the Enugu State Government to formalize its cooperation with the ICPC through a structured partnership that could serve as a model for other states.
- Do you think digital platforms are enough to prevent corruption in Nigeria’s public finance?
- Would more open town hall meetings improve trust in your own local government?
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