From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has called for the support of journalists to expose and fight crime in society.
The Osun State Resident Anti-corruption Commission, Demola Bakare, made the call in Osogbo during a media chat to commemorate the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day.
Bakare disclosed that 28 projects were tracked with over N2billion recovered and many contractors returned to the site.
He said the theme for this year’s global Anti-Corruption Day is “Uniting the World Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security,” because corruption is intertwined with conflict and instability, jeopardizes social and economic development, and undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Bakare stated that ICPC regards the media as partners in progress in the crusade against corruption through media support and reportage to expose the extent of damage corruption has cost society and the efforts being made to reverse the situation.
“A total number of 78 sensitization sessions covering television, radio, and visitations to MDAs have been carried out by ICPC Osun State Office to encourage public support and reportage of corrupt practices in the society.
“In 2023 out of 443 projects amounting to N58 billion tracked nationwide a total of 95 capital projects amounting to N10.8 billion allocated to South West.
“Osun ICPC office tracked 85 projects and were located in Ekiti State worth N8 billion. We discovered that those projects were soft projects like empowerment and small scarce business support. We find that some projects to empower people in the community are used to siphon public resources or for money laundering,” Bakare said.