admin
The Independent Corrupt Practices
and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed concern over the
spate of abuse of constituency project fund and processes in the country.
Commenting on the imperative of
constituency project tracking embarked upon by the commission, the ICPC
Commissioner for Imo state, Barr. Udonsi Arua explained how the Commission was
forcing contractors back to hitherto abandoned projects sites and gave instance
of an unnamed Imo Senator who diverted fund for constituency project, to the
building of a hotel.
He regretted that the constituents
of the said senator had no idea of the said constituency project and did not
know that the hotel was built by funds appropriated for their constituency
project.
The Commission also observed that
corruption remains the fastest route
to the destruction of the
nation’s institutions.
While citing examples of the effects
of corruption on institutions, the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, in
his message at the 2019 United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day, noted
that “when a country’s institutions are weakened by corruption for instance,
its security forces would not be trusted, its borders would become porous,
criminality will fester and its insecurity may be internationalized.”
He however warned that the days of
impunity were over in Nigeria and that all corrupt persons must be ready to
face the consequences of their actions.
His words: “As we explore the option
of collaboration and cooperation in the fight against corruption, we shall
intensify activities to detect and investigate acts of corruption, embezzlement
of public funds and abuse of office. The days of impunity are over. The warning
must be given, loud and clear, that the corrupt will be dealt with firmly, and
with the degree of ruthlessness that the law permits.”
He called on Nigerians to quit
paying lip-service to the fight against corruption and embrace integrity,
transparency and accountability. Tatranium AI
