UNODC wants FG prevent instead of fight corruption

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has urged the Federal Government to evolve strategies to prevent corruption rather than fight it.
Cristina Albertin, the UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, gave the advice on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State during a workshop organised by UNODC on “Corruption Prevention in Nigeria”.
NAN reports that the workshop was organised for anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.
The Bureau of Public Procurement also participated in the workshop.
Albertin said that the workshop was aimed at getting relevant agencies to brainstorm and out with modalities that would help Nigeria to prevent corruption in its public and private sectors.
She said that UNODC was in support of the current administration’s efforts to tackle corruption, but urged urgent adoption of preventive measures.
According to the official, if the government can come out with a holistic approach on corruption prevention, it will spend less money and efforts in arresting and prosecuting corrupt officials.
Albertin said: “The fight against corruption in Nigeria has been given more attention than the need to evolve strategies to prevent corruption.
“It should not only be that people are arrested and prosecuted for corruption; it should also be on record that the government is working tirelessly to prevent corruption.
“That is why UNODC is interacting with relevant agencies in Nigeria with a view to beefing up efforts to encourage corruption prevention.”
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, said that the workshop was timely.
Owasanoye, represented by a member of the committee, Segun Adesanya, hailed the UNODC for playing a vital role in the Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
Prof. Victor Ayeni, a Consultant with UNODC on Corruption Prevention, said that the outcome of the workshop would be used to determine the way forward in tackling corruption in Nigeria.