PRIMORG To Buhari: Be Frontal In Tackling Corruption

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG), on Wednesday took a critical look at the fight against corruption in the country with a verdict that Nigerians are yet to see a government led by President Muhammadu Buhari that is frontal with tackling corruption.

PRIMORG therefore tasked President Buhari to be more firm and frontal in tackling corruption in Nigeria as his administration heads to its final two years.

The Executive Director of PRIMORG, Mr. Okhiria Agbonsuremi, who gave the charged on Wednesday during a radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE on Radio produced by PRIMORG in Abuja, particularly frowned at the non-action of the government and anti-corruption agencies when investigative corruption reports are published by the media, saying it unsavory practice is undermining the fight against corruption.

Agbonsuremi also said while reviewing PRIMORG’s report titled: ‘Two Years of Fighting Corruption Through the Radio and Social Media’, that the picture presented today in the fight against corruption is not good, adding however that President Buhari has two years in office to greatly advance the fight against corruption if only he can put his feet down and ensure that corrupt elements are punished.

Agbonsuremi said; “I think the president has two glorious years outstanding which he can use to change the picture that we see today. President Buhari can still put his feet down and the most important of them is to punish corruption.”

On the numerous neglected investigative corruption reports in Nigeria, Agbonsuremi said; “At the level of the presidency, when media houses publish report on corruption, let there be action from the police, the ICPC, EFCC and if they don’t, let there be someone who will draw the president’s attention to it.

“I think President Buhari can do more within the years left to let us know he means the idea of fighting corruption. I must commend him for what he has done so far but he has not done enough to get all the kudos that should go to him,” he enthused.

Agbonsuremi alluded that some government efforts in fighting corruption have assisted in taming certain aspects of corruption in Nigeria.

He said; “The single treasury account for instance made it possible for government agencies to pay money directly into federation accounts and the government is also working hard to get a template for whistle blower law, to ensure people that blow the whistle are safe.”

Agbonsuremi, however, expressed delight in the fact that more citizens are beginning to key into integrity at the workplace.

According to him; “We see cleaners returning forgotten monies and items these days, Federal Road Safety officers returning monies recovered at accident scenes and many more.”

Agbonsuremi also hinted that PRIMORG will continue the amplification of corruption reports, revealing that PRIMORG’s mandate goes beyond anti-corruption campaigns.

In his words; “We are not set up to only fight corruption, we are pushing for good governance. We are also saying that the cost of governance is high. We are talking about restructuring, citizens’ participation in elections, citizens holding leaders to account are all important to us.

“Public Conscience on Radio is continuing, we are optimistic we will get the support of our partners, the support of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations we are working with, the public should also expect more from us,” Agbosuremi assured.

Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.