President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that despite the anti-corruption drive of the federal government, some government agencies are still diverting or refusing to fully account for generated revenue.
Buhari, speaking after inaugurating the new board of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC on Monday, did not, however, give the names of the defaulting agencies.
He also did not indicate whether there were plans to sanction the officials responsible for the diversion.
President Buhari said rather than obey constitutional provisions and extant rules and regulations, such agencies continued as if nothing has changed.
He vowed that he was determined to ensure that every agency of government accounted for public revenue generated or expended.
Buhari said: ”As I have noted in recent times, despite our anti-corruption drive, some agencies of government still divert or refuse to fully account for revenue generated. Rather than obey constitutional provisions and extant rules and regulations, such agencies continue as if nothing has changed.
”We are determined to ensure that every agency of government account for public revenue generated or expended. I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.
“I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.
“In this regard, I urge you to collaborate with other government agencies such as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation towards mitigating wrong-doing in public expenditure.
“Furthermore, I look forward to receiving anti-corruption recommendations linked to e-Government standards and principles.
“As the old saying goes – “Prevention is better than cure”. Your statutory mandate recognizes this principle.
”Therefore, I encourage you to come up with strong preventive policy measures and strategies for government’s endorsement to take us to the NEXT LEVEL in the fight against corruption.
“I am aware that the ICPC laws empowers you to make proposals to assist government in this fight,” he said.
Buhari said the fight against corruption was very crucial in Nigeria’s national development, adding that “this is why I have often said if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”
The President said apart from deliberate and wanton looting of national wealth and common patrimony, corruption has eroded the values and ethical foundation of Nigeria as a nation.
“Corruption has negatively affected our political, economic and social life. Those opposed to our fight against corruption berate us for our focus, determination and single mindedness.
“They pretend that they do not know what corruption is. But Nigerians know what corruption is. Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it,” he said.
He expressed delight that the ICPC law under which the new board will operate was robust enough to assist government to sanitise the public sector of corruption.
Speaking after the inauguration, Bolaji Owasanoye, the board Chairman, said they were lucky to be given the assignment.
He said they were lucky because President Buhari was known for having “unquestionable, unequivocal and unshakable resolve to deal with corruption”.
Owasanoye said: “Therefore, the political will required to fight corruption is available. I pledge on behalf of the commission and members that we will do our best not to disappoint you or disappoint the country.
Other members of the board who were inaugurated are Grace Chinda, Okolo Titus, Obiora Igwedebia, Olubukola Balogun, Adams Bello, Hannatu Muhammed, Abdullahi Saidu, and Yahaya Dauda.
The ICPC board was approved by the Senate on December 16, 2018, months after they were nominated.
