ZCC PRESS RELEASE TO COMMEMORATE 2015 ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY

Abuja, 09 December 2015.  

 

Theme... "Break the corruption chain”

 

As the world commemorates the international Anti-Corruption Day, Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) calls on the government at all level to combat corruption in all ramifications and achieve meaningful development in the country by breaking the corruption chain in our in our system.

Corruption is a global menace that results in total destruction of individual’s honesty or loyalty through undermining moral integrity. It undermines democracy, creates unstable governments, and backpedals a nation’s socio-economic progress.

We find it worrisome that today corruption metamorphosis in various forms including bribery, unchecked breaking of law and order, injustice, manipulation of electoral processes and results, war against whistleblowers. We hope the memorable Day provides opportunity for sober reflection by political leaders, governments, legal and professional bodies and CSOs groups to work together against corruption through constructive dialogue and brainstorming on the way forward.

By resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003, the UN General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day. This decision aimed to raise public awareness of corruption and the role of the United Nations Convention towards combating and preventing corruption.

We understand that solution to preventing and combating corruption requires a comprehensive approach, but only in a climate of transparency, accountability and participation by all members of society including governments, the private sector, the media, civil society organizations and the general public.

In commemoration of this Day, ZCC and relevant civil society groups unveil a campaign to raise public awareness of corruption, demanding urgent action by relevant stakeholders against corruption. The slogan 'Break the corruption chain' encourages Governments, the private sector and the general public to tackle corruption by embracing proper orientation and positive attitudes. The campaign also highlights that corruption is a cross-cutting crime, impacting many areas. It shows that acting against corruption is imperative to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

While International Anti-Corruption Day remains an opportunity to shed light on the damage it does, and to reaffirm global commitment against corruption, the impact of corruption is greater than just the diversion of resources as contributes to a justified lack of trust and confidence in governance.

Just as bribes make basic services available only to those able to afford them, it is regrettable that the worst consequences of corruption are borne by poor and vulnerable groups. The poor are more reliant on public services, and are disproportionately harmed by what may be, in financial terms, small-time corruption.

It is no more news that various reports have reiterated that poor women are the worst hit by corruption. The poor also have the most to lose from rapid degradation of natural resources stemming from corruption which enables laws and regulations to be circumvented. Illegal logging to which corrupt officials turn a blind eye, for example, can threaten the ecosystems on which poor people depend for their livelihoods, and lead to revenue losses for governments too.

ZCC therefore demands:

1. Strong measures by the government to prevent corruption in our country by adopting the draft strategy to combat corruption in Nigeria, so that it will serve as working policy document tackling corruption.
2. Elimination of waste and duplication of resources as contained in our budget as a measure of detecting corruption risks in governance.
3. Demonstration of full-fledged commitment by President Muhamadu Buahri to fighting corruption in all ramifications 
4. Appreciable and exhaustive investigation into the recent N2billion “phoney” arms contracts with immediate prosecution of the culprits. 
5. Full implementation of all outstanding corruption reports, including the House Committee report on the subsidy racket with arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
6. Fully-fledged transparency and accountability by the government public declaration of all the looted sums by former government officials returned to Nigeria government and set up appropriate committee including credible Civil Society Organizations to ensure judicious utilization of the fund for maximum benefit of the country so the funds do not get recycled.

Signed:
Lukman A. Adefolahan 
Programme Officer

 

Lukman Adefolahan
Programme Officer

08027942603

Zero Corruption Coalition 

No 16, House 3, P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, Off Solomon Lar way, Behind Chida Hotel, after Daily Trust Corporate Head Office Utako District, Abuja, Nigeria

 

"ZCC:To re-establish the culture of transparency, accountability, integrity and respect for human dignity in order to achieve good governance and social justice"