Posted by By JAMES OJO, Abuja on
Chairman of the House of Representatives committee that probed the $16 billion said to have been spent to revamp the power sector by the Obasanjo administration, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, confessed that he faced great danger in the course of probing the power sector.
Chairman of the House of Representatives committee that probed the $16 billion said to have been spent to revamp the power sector by the Obasanjo administration, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, confessed that he faced great danger in the course of probing the power sector.
Disclosing this at a one one-day anti-corruption rally organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Crusade for Greater Nigeria in Abuja, Elumelu, who was honoured with the Heroes Award, decried the high level of corruption in the country, saying, ' those who fight the menace face grave danger of losing their lives.'
He lamented that corruption in Nigeria has assumed an almost uncontrollable level as most people who made money through dubious means are in control of the social system.
Continuing, he said such people are doing everything possible to frustrate those who are committed to the eradication of corruption in the country.
Said he: 'The reality though is that the fight against corruption poses grave and unpredictable risks to those who dare to challenge this gargantuan monster. 'We must expect resistance from well entrenched beneficiaries of the existing system. Protagonists of the anti-corruption crusade should not expect to be congratulated by powerful existing interests. In spite of great odds, however, I strongly believe that the battle against corruption can be won in our life time in Nigeria.'
Blaming the profound rate of corruption in the country on the elite, whom he said poses the biggest obstacle to the success of the war against corruption, Elumelu, pointed out that 'the greater part of the Nigerian problem was the ruling elite, who were not only selfish, greedy, unpatriotic, but often lawless.
According to him, official corruption in Nigeria has graduated from mere stealing, bribery and misappropriation of funds to active looting of public treasury, adding, its devastating effect derogates from the quality of life and standard of living.'
'It is a crime against humanity, depriving citizens of education, employment opportunities, healthcare, water, food, roads and electric power. Grand corruption has denied Nigeria every opportunity for economic advancement,' he said.
Other recipients of the Award are the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), his Akwa-Ibom State counterpart, Godswill Akpabio, former Senate president, Anyim Pius Anyim, Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro.
Others include the ICPC Chairman, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, NAFDAC DG, Dora Akunyili, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Senator Victor Egba-Ndoma.