..Commissions EFCC’s new corporate Headquarters put at N24bn
By Dele Ogbodo
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said corruption is the major reason why the country is struggling with basic developmental issues making it to lag behind other nations not as endowed as it.
While urging public officers to change their ways of handling public trust, he averred: “Corruption not only kills governments but destroys societies. It is the major reason why we are struggling with basic developmental issues that other comparable nations have long overcome.”
The President made the disclosure in a statement made available by the State House media department to Sharpedgenews, shortly after commissioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) new corporate office which is put at N24 billion.
He said: “Throughout my journey in national service and since 2015, I have made a very conscious decision to pursue a vigorous fight against corruption in public life.
“Since 2015, we have made significant progress in the fight against corruption. Everyone now knows that corrupt officials will be held to account, no matter how long it takes.
“We have recovered and are still recovering trillions of naira that were stolen in the past few years by people without conscience.
“We are pursuing recoveries everywhere and are making sure that anyone who has been found culpable is made to answer for his or her crime under the law.”
While calling on the other two arms of government to help in the anti corruption war, he added: “It is my hope and expectation that the judiciary, which is a critical stakeholder and partner in the war against corruption, would continue to collaborate with the Executive to bring corrupt people to book.
“I call on the Legislature which provides the legal framework for the anti-corruption war to add more verve to the determination of government to rid our nation of the brazen corruption witnessed in recent years, through reviewing archaic provisions in our laws and proactive passage of new legislation.”
Buhari admits that the war against corruption is not an easy one to fight, as according to him, it affects so many different branches of our lives, so much that some people do not even consider breaking trust is anymore a crime.
He said: “It has become the norm. That is why we must fight this attitude and encourage Nigerians to change their attitudes and perspectives.”
The goal of his administration, he said is to ensure the protection of public trust, and the anti-corruption war is at its centre. “We never intended, and we are not engaged in witch-hunts, but we are determined within the laws to call people to account.” he said.
“It is for this reason that we appeal to Nigerians to EFCC because fighting corruption is everyone’s concern. I call on the Judiciary and the National Assembly to join hands in this national effort.
“I am glad to note that quite a number of nations are signifying interest to help us tighten their laws and enter into agreements with Nigeria to repatriate not only stolen funds but to make the culprits face due process of law.
“We are committed to working with our foreign friends to stop the inflow of stolen funds from Nigeria into their countries and recovering what is there already. These assets, when repatriated will be put to building our infrastructure.”