By GODFREY BIVBERE
FEDERAL government has been called upon to constitute a truth Commission for all government agencies in the maritime industry as a means of finding solution to the ills and corrupt practices said to be prevalent in the sector.

Making the called in Lagos, a retired Customs Comptroller, Anslem Nwandike, said that the establishment of the truth Commission is the only antidote for curbing the many problems be-devilling the sector.

Nwadike disclosed this at a function put together by the office of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values and the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (ASSOFF).

He explained that it is only a truth Commission that can help to expose the high level of activities that are contrary to known values and ethics of the industry.

According to him, “The office of Ethics and Values should make a study to find out why Public Complaints Commission is ineffective and thereby establish a Truth Commission to carry out findings about government departments and agencies.”

“The report from the Truth Commission should be used to advise government on how to do a proper long term reform of agencies and departments leaving behind a viable and effective public service.”

He stressed the need for the presidency to transform itself to be able to transform the public service by strengthening the office of Ethics and Values to affect the change needed in the public service to accept that the society is greater than the individual.

In her opening remarks, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Serah Jubril, charged stakeholders in the maritime industry to uphold ethics and values in the performance of their business.

The Presidential Adviser said it is only the adherence to known ethics and values that can ensure the elimination of corruption in port operations in the country,

According to her, until everyone in the sector gets involved in the fight against corruption through high ethical standards and values, the vices in the industry will remain. She further noted that same recipe is needed for the problems be-devilling the country, stressing that Nigerians and indeed the media must remain at the fore-front of ensuring the public officers and elected officials performs their duties in accordance to the laws of the land.