The Independent Corrupt Practice and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on state governors to join its efforts at fighting corruption.
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the ICPC chairman, gave the charge on Friday during the inauguration of the ultra-modern prototype office of the ICPC in Lokoja, Kogi State.
He said the fight against corruption “is enormous and challenging” and calls for the cooperation and support of all the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“This is because the ICPC will not relent in its effort to fight corruption to the barest minimum.
“Therefore, the support and cooperation of all the state governors to our struggle will go a long way in defeating corruption.
“It will interest you to know that in spite of the daunting challenges, we are making progress in the fight against corruption, because a lot of progress has been made,” he said.
Owasanoye said the commission planned to have offices in the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja to ensure that the staff of the commission could operate in an environment conducive for better performance.
He expressed gratitude to the Kogi government for approving the land in which the new edifice was built.
The governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, represented by the State Secretary to the Government, Dr Folashade Arike, said his administration would continue to partner with the commission to achieve its mandate in the fight against corruption.
The governor expressed gratitude to the ICPC chairman for putting up such a befitting edifice in Kogi State.
“It’s unfortunate that corruption weakens civil service delivery and economic development of any state or nation.
“This is why my administration has set up a transparency and accountability unit in the state Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, to check and scrutinise all government expenditure,” Bello noted.
Also, Sen. Lekan Balogun, who represented the ICPC chairman, Sen. Abdul Suleiman-Kwari, lauded the state government for the support for the agency in the state.