CEDI Calls for Fast Tracking and Operationalisation of National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022 – 2026
By Martina Egobuike-Enebeli
WARRI/Nigeria: As the World celebrated the 2022 World Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2022, the Community Empowerment and Development Initiative, CEDI, a member of ANEEJ anti-Corruption cluster implementing the Palladium project with support from USAID, has called for the fast-tracking and operationalisation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, NACs11 (2022-2026) in Nigeria.
CEDI made the call through the Executive Director, Mrs Martha Onose, while celebrating the day, with a theme: “Uniting The World Against Corruption” at a Press Conference in Warri, the commercial city of Delta State,
CEDI while welcoming the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, NACs11 (2022-2026) stated lack of operationalisation of policies in Nigeria, is increasing the corruption level in the country, and it’s affecting every level of the society.
It stated that the year 2022 celebration is focused to charge the Government to work closely with media and CSOs to popularise the implementation of the newly extended strategy.
It stated that this is to ensure that it provides mechanisms for creatively aligning different institutions and agencies in the Nigerian integrity framework, and supports private-public partnerships against corruption in a manner that ensures; effective collaboration, coordination, and synergy.
It further said, a proper delineation of sectoral program priorities, within and outside the public service, whilst serving as the broad umbrella road map under which mass mobilization of citizens behind the crusade is pursued and achieved.
it pointed out that relevant agencies of government as matter of urgency, fast-track the process of operationalization of the adopted National Anti-Corruption Strategy while calling on the National Assembly to move quickly to ensure quick passage and transmission of the pending anti-corruption bills to the President for his assen
CEDI did not spare Nigerians, as it called them to uphold values of honesty; integrity, and transparency as well as resist, discourage and report against practices to the relevant agencies within their environment.
It however frowned at the continuous decline of Nigeria in the Corruption Perception Index, CPI by Transparency International, as the country 154 out of 180 countries in the 2021 ranking, as it moved five places downward.
It pointed out that a number of public institutions in Nigeria are not working effectively to deliver on their mandates to the citizens, thus amplifying the corruption situation in the country.
It concluded that the overall effect of corruption in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large is negative with serious implications for security, the living standard of the people, economic growth, and development. This affects both men, women, and vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities, even disproportionately.
