us pledges support to fight corruption in nigeria; launches anti-corruption website

The United States on Wednesday gave its support to nigeria's anti-corruption scheme, and said they would keep on offering material and intelligence support to nigeria; and to ensure the country is rid of corruption. 

The U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Mr. David Young, has said that the cost of corruption to the economy of nigeria should not be measured by the amounts of stolen assets,landed properties e.t.c but its effects on hardworking citizens.

mr. david said America would continue to support open partnership with agencies of government and civil society organisations to end corruption in Nigeria, adding that all Nigeria’s stolen assets stashed in the U.S would be recovered and returned to the country.

Young spoke at the launch of Report Yourself, a web-based anti-corruption platform to promote citizen engagement in the fight against corruption.

The event was organised by BudgIT in collaboration with the U.S Mission to Nigeria and Religious Leader Anti-corruption Committee (RLAC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

The web-based platform was developed by BudgIT and funded by the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.

Young said the platform was created with the aim to empower citizens to instantaneously report corruption and bribery in public and private sectors as it occurs.

He said: “We hope Report Yourself platform starts a new movement in citizen engagement in Nigerian government’s efforts to end corruption. We do hope every Nigerian citizen who is affected by corruption would feel empowered to share their experiences. The tide will turn against the culture of corruption when Nigerians recognise that they must fight as one to stamp out this scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity.”

“Through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, we are working to increase the capacity of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the justice sector.”

The Head of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) of the Nigeria Police Force, Abayomi Shogunle, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, pledged the police’s support for the platform, saying it would complement the PCRRU’s effort to end indiscipline in the force.