ABAKALIKI – The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) on Friday called for more government action in the fight against corruption in the country.
The Chairman of the rights group in Ebonyi State, Mr David Okoro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Friday that the endemic nature of corruption required synergy between the government and the civil society.
“Corruption in public places has reached all time high and there is need for the government to step up the campaign in the fight,’’ Okoro said.
The rights activist blamed the slow pace of social, economic and political development of the country on corruption and called for urgent solution to the problem.
He also called for more proactive measures by various levels of the government in the fight and reduction of corruption to the barest minimum.
“There is endemic poverty in the land because a few individuals have appropriated the wealth of the nation to themselves through corrupt enrichment.
“To stem the ugly tide, the government at the local, state and federal levels should be more proactive in the fight by strengthening the anti corruption agencies for more efficiency,’’ he said.
He said the committee was collaborating with relevant government institutions such as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the police and other civil society groups in the fight.
“Economic and financial crimes are crimes against humanity and by extension affect the individual’s rights to good living.
“Economic and financial corruption hinder overall development of the society.
“Our group is collaborating with relevant authorities and other civil rights groups to ensure that corrupt public officials are brought to book.’’ (NAN)