The Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on state governments to partner with the commission in the pursuit of it’s mandate to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country.

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, ICPC Chairman made the calls at the commissioning of ICPC prototype state office building held on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Owasanoye explained that the commission currently had 21 state offices across the country and expressed hope that the same structures would be replicated in all the other states of the federation.

He explained that ICPC, being the foremost anti-corruption agency, had three-pronged mandates of enforcement, prevention, and education and mobilisation of Nigerians on the ills of and against corruption.

According to him, corruption as we all know is a great impediment to the socio-economic growth and development of any nation.

“Corruption does not only blight the country’s reputation among the comity of nations, but also impedes the flow of Foreign Direct Investments, and a challenge to national security.

” So, at the sub-national levels, corruption is responsible for the challenges of meeting the primary obligation of government to citizens which is the security and well being of the people,” he said.

Owasanoye also said that the war against corruption was steadily making progress with the collective commitment of stakeholders in the country.

He said that ICPC was poised to support all the state governments to deal with the hydra-headed monster of corruption.

The ICPC chairman said that the commission had embarked on several initiatives that focused on combating the menace of corruption thereby entrenching transparency and accountability in public systems to ensure that the benefits of good governance cascades to the grassroots.

“Fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of all not just of the anti corruption and other law enforcement agencies, but for all of us.

“In this regard, we fight corruption as an existential threat to the stability of society and the peace and progress of society.

“There is no middle course or alternative we either deal with this malady or it will ultimately trigger a social crisis.

” So, it is therefore the desire of the Commission that state governments will partner and collaborate with the Commission in the pursuit of its mandate to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country,” he said.

In his address, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State commended the ICPC for being at the forefront in drive to eliminate corruption and instill public trust in the national lives with a view to enforcing zero tolerance to corruption in the country.

Akeredolu, who was represented by the State Secretary to the Government(SSG), Princess Oladuni Odu, said that the newly built prototype office complex was an insignia of governments continued determination to combating corrupt practices and building a culture of good governance in the country.

According to him, today’s event marks another milestone in the history of our country and a re-affirmation of this administration’s commitment to accountability, integrity, probity and transparency.

Akeredolu, therefore, promised that the state government would continue to provide necessary support that would assist ICPC in the delivery of their mandate.

He called on Nigerians to join hands with the commission to fight corruption to minimal, saying that state government had put in place Complaints Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Commission to help combat crime at the state level.

“Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our national lives and it, therefore requires collective efforts to mitigate it’s spread across every sector.

“Therefore, there’s need for us to come together in order to continue to stem the pervasiveness of corruption in Nigeria.

“To fight corruption required the participation and support of everyone. We must report cases in our midst, uphold fairness, transparency and integrity, whilst holding ourselves accountable for our actions,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)