Repositioning the ICPC in anti-corruption crusade

To put our retreat in the right perspective, permit me again to refer you to the statutory mandates of the ICPC. The commission was established by virtue of a Federal statute signed into law on 13 June 2000 to inter alia, receive reports of corrupt practices and where necessary to prosecute such offenders; to identify […]

To put our retreat in the right perspective, permit me again to refer you to the statutory mandates of the ICPC. The commission was established by virtue of a Federal statute signed into law on 13 June 2000 to inter alia, receive reports of corrupt practices and where necessary to prosecute such offenders; to identify corrupt systems and processes of government operations and suggest ways of eradicating the corrupt; and educating the public and fostering their support against corruption and corrupt practices. I therefore enjoin you all to employ your expertise and experiences from your different positions and fields to make honest and constructive suggestions on improving the lot of the Commission and governance in Nigeria using these different points of our statutory areas of jurisdiction and interventions.

Considering above and the grave dimensions corruption has taken, the fight against corruption must be digital, all embracing, creative and innovative to respond adequately and promptly to these emergency perspectives of corrupt practices in Nigeria. Corruption grows with frightening and devastating impacts on every aspect of our lives as individuals, as a community and as a nation. Corruption has destroyed our national and communal life. It has destroyed spirits, visions, goals, aspirations of millions. The more these occur, the more hopeless our situation in terms of poor infrastructure, pothole-ridden roads, unemployment, dilapidated facilities in health and educational institutions at all levels and the general infrastructure decay of the nation. In the light of this every Nigerian and resident should appreciate the problem as a national emergency and concern and we all must take responsibility and proprietorship of the crusade rather than assuming it as the prerogative of the Federal Government to check corruption and related vices.

We are encouraged by the initiatives of some state governments to open up their systems to scrutiny and accountability and in the process giving their citizens better infrastructure and improved living standards. Accountability and integrity in governance are scarce commodities in most state government as reflected in the governance index on infrastructural developments. We are therefore willing and ready to collaborate with Federal and state agencies and institutions, as well as local Governments to foster and nurture integrity and accountability in governance. We are also partnering with international bodies and agencies in this direction. The Commission has just completed a review of its strategic action plan with the collaboration of UNDP and the DFID. We solicit more support from other National and International agencies to support our activities and programmes for a successful fight against corruption.

The current government has zero tolerance for corruption as one of its cardinal principles of transforming Nigeria. It is the determination and resolve of the present board of the ICPC to ensure that corruption is fought and checked from all possible perspectives. We regard ethics as central to our business, risk control measures and self-assessment programmes to keep management and staff on their toes. We also consider digital interventions and innovative reforms in ensuring good governance through improved manpower with the support of our local and foreign partners.

The civil society must be up and doing in calling governments and their departments to order in cases of abuse of office and resources of government. It is imperative to monitor operations and activities of government and its budgetary allocations, project and procurements. The media is advised to promote anti-corruption programmes and play down commercialism of the media in anti-corruption initiatives. This is more so because a corruption- free society is the benefit of all and sundry as vibrant media anti-corruption measures capture corrupt persons, corrupt practices and opportunists.

We also call on the Bench and the Bar to appraise and appreciate the anti-corruption war as a fight for the rule of law, justice, good governance and better standard of living for our people. It behoves on them to participate in the campaign from all aspects of justice administration. Members of the Bench and Bar found to be dining with criminals should be shown the way out and severely punished by the legal and professional authorities in the effort and determination to have a zero-level corruption society. The freedom of Information Act offers every Nigerian the opportunity and liberty to demand information and scrutinize information regarding the activity and programmes of government.

Where such returns do not match or are irreconcilable with the funds or resources collected, then such Nigerians should report corruption and demand an inquiry from anti-corruption agencies. It is important for a successful fight against corruption to ensure that all indications of temptations and opportunities of corruption are frustrated and eliminated. Good governance could only be built through the foundations and pillars of vision, trust, accountability, integrity and the people’s support. We also welcome opinion and research on how we can measure the level of corruption in Nigeria. This could be considered on the  basis of states, local governments, federal ministries, agencies etc. we are happy to note that the anti-corruption space is widening as more Nigerians in all strata of society are volunteering and contributing to the crusade with driven impetus to fighting corruption and ensuring the environment.

There has been much talk about corruption in Nigeria. Speeches, seminars and retreats may enlighten us on the mechanics of fighting corruption but the will and conviction of each and all are vital elements to checking corruption. I call on our resource persons and all participants to consider this assembly as another platform to address our integrity and governance issues and therefore, feel free to proffer suggestions towards a workable anti-corruption framework for the commission, and indeed for Nigeria against the unique corruption problems of our dear country. I call on anti-corruption agencies and other stakeholders the world over to share information, expertise and experiences especially in the present crusade demanding creativity, cooperation and innovation to fighting the ever-changing facets and amoebic forms of corruption in Nigeria.

Excerpt from a speech delivered by Mr Nta, Acting ICPC Chairman, at Ibom Le Meridian Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on MAY 2 2012