ICPC tasks FG on strategy to end corruption

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the federal government to adopt the strategy of assets recovery and return to the source as one of the cardinal points in the fight against corruption.

Its chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who stated this Thursday during the 2019 African Union (AU) Anti-corruption Day in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, said the negative impact of corruption on the continent’s economic development was obvious.

Owasanoye, who was represented by the commissioner in charge Kogi state office, Mr Chile Patrick Ogwuegbu, said the new policy focus of the commission was to ensure effective utilisation of budgetary allocations to social welfare and human development.

“This policy will lead to improvement in social indicators, human development index, attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a more favourable corruption perception for Nigeria. On the other hand, the commission intends to use provisions of its law, especially on non-conviction based assets forfeiture to deny corrupt persons use of whatever they have stolen from Nigeria people and make more resources available for development.

“The commission is presently tracking the execution of constituency capital projects across the country so as to ensure that the projects are properly executed and delivered to the communities they were meant for,” he said.

According to him, “Millions of Nigerians suffering denial of basic social services and lack of infrastructure such as hospitals, schools water and employment will receive succour when stolen assets are recovered from looters.”

The Kogi state director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ambassador Mohammed Abdullahi, described corruption as “a war that all Nigerians must fight to the end irrespective of tribe and religion.”

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