British High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, Wednesday stated that corruption was largely
responsible for Nigeria’s present state of underdevelopment, adding that that
was why the country has not advanced from where it was 30 years ago especially
in the area of infrastructural development.
Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, Wednesday stated that corruption was largely
responsible for Nigeria’s present state of underdevelopment, adding that that
was why the country has not advanced from where it was 30 years ago especially
in the area of infrastructural development.
Pocock made the disclosure in
Abuja, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, in his office.
Abuja, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, in his office.
Pocock said: “The UK is
not just interested in what you do here which has been of great benefit to
Nigeria, but it is also interested in the anti-corruption campaign of
your government for so many years now. “In 2011 when our Prime Minister,
Mr. David Cameron, met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, one of the
areas they drew up a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on was to collaborate in
the fight against corruption.”
not just interested in what you do here which has been of great benefit to
Nigeria, but it is also interested in the anti-corruption campaign of
your government for so many years now. “In 2011 when our Prime Minister,
Mr. David Cameron, met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, one of the
areas they drew up a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on was to collaborate in
the fight against corruption.”
The High Commissioner noted
that corruption in the country had impacted negatively today on the daily lives
of Nigerians, the economy, its infrastructural growth and governance, adding:
“When I was here in 1980, which was a period the country was just coming
out from long years of military rule, where the oil boom peaked and public
infrastructure grew with the attainment of over 5000 megawatts of electricity.
that corruption in the country had impacted negatively today on the daily lives
of Nigerians, the economy, its infrastructural growth and governance, adding:
“When I was here in 1980, which was a period the country was just coming
out from long years of military rule, where the oil boom peaked and public
infrastructure grew with the attainment of over 5000 megawatts of electricity.
“Thirty years after, and
because of corruption in resource allocation process, it became difficult to
deliver infrastructure to the people, and today this country is still
generating the same quantum of electricity generated 30 years ago.”
because of corruption in resource allocation process, it became difficult to
deliver infrastructure to the people, and today this country is still
generating the same quantum of electricity generated 30 years ago.”
According to him, the
consequences of corruption to the country has brought about unquantifiable cost
to the underdevelopment of this country, adding that the UK is not just
interested in Nigeria because of its past history, but because UK sees in
Nigeria, a country that is an emerging power, economically and politically in
the global sphere.
consequences of corruption to the country has brought about unquantifiable cost
to the underdevelopment of this country, adding that the UK is not just
interested in Nigeria because of its past history, but because UK sees in
Nigeria, a country that is an emerging power, economically and politically in
the global sphere.
Pocock,
however, added that it was gratifying to note that the country was on the right
direction in the privatisation of the energy sector.
He said: “If this process is transparently done, there is no doubt that
Nigeria will be on the verge of industrial revolution in the next few years.
however, added that it was gratifying to note that the country was on the right
direction in the privatisation of the energy sector.
He said: “If this process is transparently done, there is no doubt that
Nigeria will be on the verge of industrial revolution in the next few years.
“This is because a private
sector-driven economy especially in the country’s energy sector will eliminate
subsidy, boost export, create jobs for the people.”
sector-driven economy especially in the country’s energy sector will eliminate
subsidy, boost export, create jobs for the people.”
In his remarks, Lamorde, while
welcoming the High Commissioner, commended the UK government for the
assistance being rendered to the agency especially during the last fuel subsidy
investigation through paying for the forensic accountants involved in the
investigation.
welcoming the High Commissioner, commended the UK government for the
assistance being rendered to the agency especially during the last fuel subsidy
investigation through paying for the forensic accountants involved in the
investigation.
The
chairman pleaded with the High Commissioner to use his offices in the
repatriation of the funds belonging to the looters to the Nigerian government
that is presently being withheld by the UK government.
He said: “You have supported us in the area of capacity-building and
we do hope that in a few years to come, we would be proud to say that the war
against corruption has been brought to its lowest level.”
chairman pleaded with the High Commissioner to use his offices in the
repatriation of the funds belonging to the looters to the Nigerian government
that is presently being withheld by the UK government.
He said: “You have supported us in the area of capacity-building and
we do hope that in a few years to come, we would be proud to say that the war
against corruption has been brought to its lowest level.”
Source: Thisday
