The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is the machinery for the control of administrative excesses (non- adherence to procedures or abuse of law). It is an organ of the government set up to redress complaints lodged by aggrieved citizens or residents in Nigeria against administrative injustice.
The Commission aims at promoting social justice for the individual citizen. It is also to provide a viable option for Nigerians or anyone resident in Nigeria seeking redress against injustice arising from administrative bureaucratic errors, omission or abuse by officials of government, or limited liability companies in Nigeria.
The Commission also has the role of improving public administration in the laws, procedures, practices, rules and regulations and standard behaviour of officials. These are provided for in the ACT, CAP 37 LFN 2004.
The primary function of the Public Complaints Commission is to provide impartial investigation on behalf of the complainants who feel aggrieved by the action or inaction of the government or local government or private companies.
VISION: To restore the dignity of man through the enthronement of rule of law and the protection of the individual/organization against administrative injustice.
MISSION: To promote an effective and efficient service that is responsible and responsive to the needs of the citizenry through investigation and resolution of complaints against Federal, State, Local Governments, Public Corporations and Private Sector Organizations and their Officials.
COMMISSION’S MANDATE
- To investigate and conduct research in MDA’s, private companies and officials of these bodies.
- To investigate administrative procedures of any court of law in Nigeria.
- To report crimes in the course or after investigation
- To report any erring officer for disciplinary action.
- To interpret policies of government and advice government and companies
- To make public reports after investigations.
- To have access to all information
- To make recommendations especially after pro-active investigation.
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
1. The primary function of the Public Complaints Commission is to provide impartial investigation on behalf of the complainants who feel aggrieved by the action or inaction of the government or local government or private companies.
2. The Investigation activities of the Commission are carried out under two broad Departments namely: Public Sector and Private Sector. For easy collection, collation and analysis of data generated in course of Investigation activities, each of the Department is further broken down into three divisions and they are as follows:
- Public Sector Investigation Department comprises:
- Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s)
- Pension (Old and New)
- Educational Institutions.
- Private Sector Investigation Department comprises:
- Private Companies
- Banking and Financial Institutions and
- Communities.
- The Commission is independent of government bureaucracy and at the same time has extensive powers regarding confidentiality and access to all government information including the production of documents which aid the commission empowered to enforce compliance in order to obtain the necessary information. This power is vital to the Commission in facilitating impartial investigation in order to arrive at a fair and equitable decision.
- Investigation of all complaints are provided at no cost to both the complainant and respondent i.e. citizen and non – citizen resident in the country and their complaints are treated with the confidentiality they deserve. The commission has enabled it staff to handle all complaints speedily.
For more info, visit www.pcc.gov.ng
