The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), has warned officials involved in the Covid-19 response against any corrupt tendency.
It reminded the officials to keep distance from what it described as post-pandemic corruption investigation.
The anti-corruption body gave the warning in a statement signed by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, in Abuja, Tuesday.
The anticorruption body further warned all Nigerians at national and sub-national levels that it is wise to remember that keeping safe distancing from post-pandemic corruption investigation in any sector of the economy is as important as safe social distancing to prevent COVID-19.
“The noble desire of government to ameliorate the pain of citizens in these difficult times should not be converted to another rue de la corruption .
“COVID-19 should not be used as excuse for corruption in any sector of the economy.
“Better to be safe than sorry. Responding to this or any other emergency or implementation of government policy for that matter should not increase integrity deficit or risky behavior,” it further warned.
The ICPC noted that emergency response is not immune to corruption risks.
“As the threat to national livelihood increases, so do the vulnerabilities to dishonesty.
“Corrupt public and private sector individuals will again test the nation’s anti-corruption architecture and commitment to integrity.
“ It has happened before and may happen again. We have seen corruption in past responses to managing the needs of internally displaced persons; treatment of persons affected by natural disasters or acts of God; delivery of government palliatives for the poorest of the poor; implementation of policies to address critical economic vulnerabilities such as assistance to SME; poverty alleviation programmes; improvement in education, promotion of agriculture etc.
“These emergencies did not prick the conscience of greedy policy makers and public and private sector implementers of otherwise noble and responsive government policies not to exploit the dire situation to negative advantage. “This very attitude of greed and impunity is what has consistently undermined positive outcomes from otherwise well thought-out national response programmes and laid-out plans that covered everything except keeping corruption in implementation at bay,” it stressed.
The ICPC, therefore, while commending the important role being played by all those currently involved in responding to the pandemic, reminded them of corruption vulnerabilities in COVID-19 management and response.
