By Itam Offor
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 into Law.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, after the Bill scaled second reading, had refered it to a joint Committee on Judiciary and Public Accounts for further working, asking it to report back in one week.
Presenting the Committee's report, the Chairman, Hon Chris Mbu-Ogar (Etung), said the Bill was to further enthrone accountability and transparency in the conduct of Government business in the State.
The Lawmaker said, the Commission will ensure transparency in the management of State resources as, "it will serve as a watchdog on Public and Civil Servans in the State including contractors or organizations that may indulge in corrupt practices".
He said, "the Commission when fully established shall have power to investigate and prosecute anybody or organization either on its own initiative or following complaints lodged before it. This implies that, the Commission shall work with whistle blowers in the course of carrying out it functions".
The House had desolved into the Committee of the whole to consider the Committee's report where majority of the Lawmakers agreed that the passage of the Bill will curb corruption and abuse of Office in conduct of Government business.
After passage, the Speaker, mandated the Clerk, Barr. Bassey Ekpenyong to forward clean copies of the Law to the Governor for assent.
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