Africa must be proactive on corruption-Dr Mengi
BY DICKSON NG`HILY
IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi has underscored the need for Africans
to be proactive and evaluate themselves accordingly in the face of
pervasive corruption on the continent instead of endlessly blaming the
government or multinational corporations.
In remarks on Tuesday at the just-ended two-day Fourth Pan-African
Anti-Corruption Conference held in Dar es Salaam, he said it was of
fundamental importance for the continent to rise up to the socio-economic
challenges facing it.
He added that Africa had the advantage of being blessed with an abundance
of natural resources which it could harness and turn into a powerful weapon
in the war on corruption.
Recalling his own humble beginnings, Dr Mengi said: “If we really know
where we came from, then we need to be very cautious with detrimental
aspects like corruption and illicit capital flight.”
He added that, left unmanaged, the very same natural resources that could
improve the people’s social and economic status could lead them into vices
like corruption and abuse of office – and hence the need to ensure
efficient management of the natural resources.
Giving gas and oil exploration as a case in point, the IPP Executive
Chairman said it was of utmost importance for the operations to be preceded
and guided by guided by relevant policies.
“Even when it comes to public procurement, there still remains room for
improvement for, as matters stand, big businesses are reportedly
influencing the choices and decisions of procurement officials,” he noted,
adding: “And if that be the case, those with financial power will dictate
terms on government investment and expenditure.”
“Africa is not poor; it is its people who are poor … Therefore we need to
walk the talk, and we will win the battle. We can combat corruption and
realise meaningful social and economic development on our continent,” said
Dr Mengi, an industrialist for decades an acknowledged anti-corruption and
environmental crusader.
In an earlier presentation, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau
(PCCB) Dr Edward Hosea expressed grave concern over the endemic and vicious
proportions corruption related tendencies have assumed in Tanzania,
particularly in public offices.
“Corruption is a vampire sucking the nation’s blood and we need to employ a
holistic approach if we are to contain it, knowing that corruption and
money laundering are but two sides of the same coin,” he said.
He described capital flight as a global challenge, saying nations across
the globe have no option but to work together if it is to be addressed
effectively.
“The so-called safe havens and off-shore banks are among the major
repositories of money laundering and illicit financial outflows,” said the
PCCB chief.
He noted that the vices make the poor suffer the most “by being denied even
the very basic benefits of development such as access to things like good
roads, quality education, clean and safe water as well as access to
reliable health care.
In a presentation on “Corruption and the Judiciary”, Chief Justice Mohamed
Chande Othman admitted that the Tanzanian Judiciary was commonly perceived
as highly vulnerable to corruption – with some magistrates believed to be
engaging in the vice.
He however declared that a lot has been done – and is being done – amid
daunting challenges to transform that crucial pillar of the state into a
corruption-free zone
The CJ explained that one of the reasons some members of the judiciary are
associated with corruption is “familiarisation” in that it often takes very
long before they are moved from one station to another.
“Budgetary constraints are a serious impediment. It can cost the equivalent
of US$3 million to relocate 3,300 primary court magistrates every three
years,” he said.
He recommended that time had come for the country’s Constitution to help
rectify the situation by providing for the creation of a special fund for
the Judiciary “as that might help the department execute its duties more
efficiently”.
“Judges also ought to be more thoroughly scrutinised so that they become
more accountable. That will help in speeding up the hearing and
determination of court cases,” said CJ Othman, adding: “The Judiciary must
be a strong institution as a weak one is sure to be susceptible to
corruption; the weaker you are, the more corrupt you are bound to be.”
Over the past three years, Pan-African Anti-Corruption Conference has
become a platform of choice where the continent’s most reputable
representatives of academia, the media, the judiciary and business as well
as state actors share knowledge and exchange experiences relating to
efforts to prevent and combat corruption.
There is near consensus that corruption has become the biggest obstacle to
Africa’s development as it seriously undermines the economic growth and
disrupts efforts to consolidate democracy, promote human rights and
safeguard the rule of law.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN