The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has reiterated Federal Government support and collaboration with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The Minister made this known in his statement during the courtesy visit of the Civil Society Organization- ‘Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch’ to his office in Abuja on Tuesday February 23rd, 2021.
In his address, Malami explained that, the government has put in place several policies that have helped to deepen the fight against corruption, such as the implementation of Biometric Verification Number (BVN), Single Treasury Account, IPPIS among others.
He further explained that, they have indeed succeeded in establishing culture, institutions and legislations to fight corruption. He added that through of process of legislation, institutions such as EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau and others were established. “Indeed, they are all products of institutionalizing the fight against corruption”, Malami maintained.
The Minister commended the existing collaboration while urging the CSO to work with Asset Recovery and Management Unit of the Ministry on the frame work.
Member, Board of Trustee, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, Dr Udofia Obot noted that the fight against corruption is not a one-man show but requires co-operation from all stakeholders. He explained that they are providing the platform that comprises experienced people that have been in the fight since 2001.
Obot commended the government in the fight against corruption, adding that there is need to improve, “we want to bring in stakeholders from the private sector that will co-operate with public sector so that the fight can move forward’’.
He assured that his organisation’s participation would be a catalyst that will be bring the two sectors together, “they are independent, experienced and also have the necessary contact in other to move Nigeria forward in the fight against corruption,” he further explained.
Ogochukwu Igboamalu
For: DD(Information)
23rd February, 2021