Corruption Is As Dangerous As Terrorism – Lai Mohammed

SAN FRANCISCO, November 18, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday averred that corruption is as dangerous as terrorism, stressing that the mindless looting of public treasury is responsible for the present economic recession Nigeria finds itself.

Speaking at a meeting with representative of the United Nations, UN Secretary-General for West Africa in Abuja, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, he disclosed that the federal government has created a register for all recovered assets stolen by corrupt officials, to prevent “re-looting” of what was being recovered. Mohammed stated that the register would soon be made public.

His words, “Corruption is as dangerous as terrorism. For an economy as ours, which is in a recession, the mindless looting of our resources has made us arrive at this particular situation.

“The government is focused, and it is not looking back in the fight against corruption, and it is clear today that nobody will be spared.

“Through the effort presidential committee on asset recovery, the government has been able to coordinate the collation and categorisation of recovered assets from 2015 to 2016.

“The committee has approved a central asset management committee under the minister of finance which will manage the recovered assets to avoid re-looting or mismanagement as was the case in the past.

“The government has created an asset register for recovered stolen assets to avoid a situation where the assets disappear. And this register will be available for the public.”

In his remarks, Chambas said the aim of the meeting was to look at the humanitarian crisis in the northeast.

He assured the minister of the solidarity of UN with Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, saying; “We express solidarity with Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. In the fight against Boko Haram you can count on the UN”.