Stakeholders laud Kano Govt for establishing anti-corruption agency
By Tukur Muntari
Corruption
Kano, Aug. 4, 2019 (NAN) Participants at the just concluded one- day seminar on Anti-corruption have commended the Kano state government for establishing the state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the seminar organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and signed by Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, Mr Muhyi Magaji, and Prof. Sadiq Isa-Raddah, Chairmen of HEDA, KPCAC and Executive Secretary of PACAC, respectively.
The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), with the theme: The Imperative of State Anti-Corruption Agency: Kano State as a Case Study held in Kano on Aug 1.
The participants, who commended the Chairman of the Kano state anti-graft agency, Mr Muhyi Magaji, for his commitment toward the fight against corruption in the state, urged the remaining 35 states of the federation to set up similar anti-corruption agencies to complement Federal Government’s effort toward that direction.
The communique however stressed the need for other states to establish the anti-graft agencies with strong flavour for independence and a human resource base driven by credibility and moral uprightness.
“That the proposed State anti-corruption Commissions should have strong and effective laws, investigative and enforcement mechanisms in the states’ Commissions for effective investigation and diligent prosecution.
“Henceforth, participants will reinforce a network to ensure that the anti-corruption dragnet is spread to cover activities focusing on the states and LGs;
“Summit supports the policy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) allocation of resources directly to Local Governments as such will promote accountability and inclusive News,” it said.
The participants, who noted that corruption can no longer be isolated as a local challenge but a threat to local and international communities, said unmitigated cases of corruption will hamper economic growth and development in every state in the country.
According to the participants, corruption must be brought to an end or reduced to its barest minimum through joint efforts and collaboration of civil society, Community Based Organisations, (CBOs) and the government in the interest of individuals and for the stability and prosperity of the people and the country.
“A significant amount of corruption that happens in our country happens at the states and local government levels and that civil society groups should intensify efforts in engaging the states and local governments on the need to expand and tackle corruption mainly at the state level.” It said.
The communique called on state and Local Governments to promote and adopt the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy as a way of preventing graft.
“For the anti-corruption agencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities, they should be well resourced.
“That the anti-corruption campaign will be more effective when it is driven by the people,” the communique said.
Besides, iturged journalists to be more proactive through investigative reporting in the collaborative efforts of exposing corrupt institutions and individuals.
The anti-corruption situation room also commended the initiative and leadership of the HEDA Resource Centre, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, (PACAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for putting together this laudable, enriching and empowering conference. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola