Corruption, Nigeria’s major enemy – FCT Minister

Abuja – Corruption has seriously retarded development of the country and Nigeria cannot afford to treat it as business as usual, Sen. Bala Mohammed, Minister of FCT, has said.
Moammed stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a sensitisation programme organised by the FCTA Anti-Corruption and Monitoring Unit for the senior officers of the administration
“Corruption has remained a major enemy of our progress as people and as a nation; and with the determination to rid us of these unwholesome practices and problems, the FCT Administration will continue to work to ensure zero tolerance on corruption.
“It is in this vein that Mr President has continued to demonstrate clearly his intention to rid the country of corruption; for instance, the on-going trial of those involve in oil subsidy scam among other cases, is a clear testimony and indication of the present administration’s commitment and determination to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance; and we cannot afford to lag behind.”
According to him, the critical policy trust that FCT is pushing is the government’s commitment to maximising those benefits the citizenry derive from transparent governance through proper use of public resources.
He said that the five-man committee set up last year by FCTA was saddled with the responsibility of anchoring anti-corruption.
The minister identified some of the responsibilities of the committee to include checking corruption in FCTA and liaising with the anti-corruption agencies with a view to evolving sustainable ways of eliminating corruption within the FCTA.
He said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of carrying out enlightenment activities aimed at educating FCTA staff on the negative consequences of corrupt practices.
Mr Ozigis Yakubu, the Chairman, FCTA Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU), said the unit had conducted extensive research on how to tackle corruption in some departments under FCTA.
According to him, the department is faced with some challenges that can hinder effective delivery of its mandates.

“One of the challenges we are having is funds; the unit needs a special budget to enable it perform its duties effectively.’’ (NAN)