Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged transport workers to shun corrupt practices while carrying out their duties to achieve a transparent environment.
The advice was given by the Acting Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Abubakar, in a paper presentation tagged, “Curbing Corruption on Nigerian Roads: The Role of Non-formal Sector,” at a one-day grassroots anti-corruption sensitization meeting organized by ICPC in collaboration with Neigbourhood Environment Watch Foundation for National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and and Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) held in Enugu.
Representated by the Commissioner, Education, Mohammed Ashiru, he said that the Transport workers had important role to play in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Abubakar also cautioned them against given bribe to law enforcement agencies as a result of disobeying traffic rules and regulation.
“If the motorists obey rules and obtain all their particulars, there will not be need to give bribe. Also note that the person who gives bribe and the person who also collects the bribe are guilty and corrupt,” he said.
According to him, corrupt on the roads have many bad effects on all citizens because the Internal Generated Revenue of the government will be affected for refusal to get vehicle particulars, adding that “this will affect the execution of projects as the government may not be able to provide good roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, schools among others.
“Our country is dying through corruption. We should remember that a child who buys examination results can never be a good doctor, he will kill patients, he can never be a good engineer, the houses he builds will collapse and kill people. If we encourage corruption, we are encouraging poverty, armed robbery, accidents on our roads, death in the hospitals and suffering. If we want to stop the ‘suffer-head’, we have to stop corruption. This is why prevention of corruption is our business, the business of each and everyone of us to stop corruption,” he said.
The ICPC boss thereby enjoined all stakeholders especially the transport workers to join hands with the government in the fight against corruption, saying, “as users of the road or union members, you need to play your part in the fight against corruption. The job is not only for the goverment or ICPC alone, it is for all of us.
“To play your part, you must get all necessary documents, keep your vehicles in good condition and obey traffic rules so that you will not be tempted to offer or give bribes to law enforcement officers in the roads. Commit no crimes that you will need to get out of through bribes,” he added.
