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By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former President of Ghana, Mr.
John Dramani Mahama, has described corruption as an instrument of murder and economic malady that must be ruthlessly dealt with for society to progress, saying its effects can lead to loss of citizens lives due to deprivation of critical public infrastructure and services.
Mahama, who was the Special Guest at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) with the theme, “Asset Valuation as a Global Anti-Corruption Tool: The Nigeria Experience”, stated this on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
He said: “Because corruption is a global challenge, its scope and seriousness have led to
calls for a worldwide response and cooperation in the fight against it.
Corruption is an economic malady. It means different things in different contexts.
“But, whichever form it takes and no matter the context, corruption is a feature of poor governance and ethics in both public and private
sectors. And we all know why. Graft thrives due to the layered irresponsibility of institutions and state actors that must fight it.
“Corruption hinders economic development, diverts investments
from infrastructure, institutions, and social services, and undermines efforts to
achieve other country-specific development goals and targets.
Corruption also retards growth because bribes paid by investors to secure investment licenses, including building permits, increase the cost of doing business and, consequently, reduce the incentive to invest in a country. Corruption also has adverse effects on productivity.
“Surveyors, Architects, and Engineers who sign-off on poorly constructed or shoddy infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, buildings, and railways have all contributed to the destruction of the economy, even as their unpatriotic actions can lead to loss of lives due to fatal accidents.
“Sadly, corruption grows as a result of the failure of the institutions that are established to fight it. It
must therefore be fought ruthlessly, whether it occurs in public or private sector. I urge all stakeholders in Nigeria and African sub region to rise and defeat corruption in all its ramifications.”
In his remarks, Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that their activities in the last four years have been geared towards eliminating wastages and profligacy in governance as well as curtailing corrupt practices.
He said: “We shall continue to
act and not be complacent as the theme of your conference keys into the main focus of the current APC led administration to fighting corruption which is an endemic problem confronting our corporate existence as a nation.
“We shall continue to partner with NIESV in the area of asset valuation, including the management of government owned land properties in a bid to fully exploit the full potential of the membership of the profession and enjoy their professional expertise and value-adding capabilities.*
Earlier in his address, the President Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr JohnBull Amayevbo, said corruption is a serious phenomenon that affects economic growth and development of a Nation.
The Theme of the conference is Asset Valuation As A Global Anti-Corruption Tool:- The Nigeria Experience.
END