The Lagos Zonal Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), recently organized a one-day stakeholders meeting with some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on the platform of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC), with the view to strengthening the coalition in the fight against corruption.
Addressing participants at the meeting, the Zonal Commissioner, Mr. Shintema Binga, stated that the meeting was necessary because the Commission had observed the dwindling zeal of some members of the NACC towards the fight against corruption.
Also, Mr. Olufemi Nofiu, in a paper titled: “Towards Effective Anti-Corruption Partnership” told the attendees that partnership and collaboration was very vital because it fosters learning across organisations, sectors and countries and could help influence the political will of government towards the fight against corruption.
Nofiu charged the groups saying “Where the government shows lack of capacity to launch and prosecute a legitimate war against corruption, the NGOs should awaken the consciousness of the people to demand as a matter of right, transparency, accountability and good governance.”
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting reads as follows:
- NACC members agree that meetings should be held quarterly for review of their activities and chart the way forward in the fight against corruption.
- NGOs should be closely monitored by ICPC to ensure strict adherence and compliance to the objectives of NACC which will also serve as a motivation to them.
- There should be training and re-training of members of NACC on how best to fight corruption.
- Poor people should be enlightened on the fact that the war against corruption is not targeted at them but the war is for everyone.
- NGOs require financial support, timely information and support to carry out anti-corruption programmes.
- It was resolved that NGOs should lend their voices against the merger of the anti-corruption agencies because they fight corruption in different ways; it is only ICPC that partners with NGOs and takes anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots level.
- ICPC should have a desk officer for NACC to enhance good communication and exchange of information within members and with the Commission.
- There should be an NACC website to enable members to access adequate information about NACC.
Mr. Binga who coordinated and chaired the proceedings signed the Communiqué as the official position of the stakeholders.