Buhari vows to recover stolen funds to deter corrupt tendencies

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday, in New Delhi, India, vowed that his administration would ensure that all stolen funds by public office holders were recovered and those indicted prosecuted in order to curb impunity and deter possible corrupt tendencies in Nigeria.

Buhari, who is participating in the third summit of the India-Africa Forum, reaffirmed his commitment to curb corruption, plug all loopholes in public sector accounting and deploy lean available resources for better economic development, particularly at a time when government resources had witnessed over 50 percent bashing.

The President said he expected ongoing recoveries and prosecutions to serve as a deterrent to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain. He added that his administration had fully recognised the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to stop such diversions.

“The anti-corruption campaign will be on-going for many years. We are committed to the enthronement of good governance that plugs the loopholes in public sector accounting, and the use of scarce resources for public good. We are determined to demonstrate exemplary leadership that will make our citizens to change their ways in a manner that lays a solid foundation for reconstruction and development,” he said.

Buhari raised the confidence that his government’s approach to fighting corruption through value re-orientation, improved internal processes and systems and the rule of law, as well as enhancing the capacity of the various anti-corruption agencies and institutions would prove more enduring in addressing this evil.

He also told the Nigerian community that he was fully aware of the expectations of Nigerians who elected him on the platform of change, integrity, probity and accountability, and was therefore doing his utmost best to meet those expectations.

He also assured that he was taking steps to address criminality across the country.

“We are tackling the menace of terrorism posed by Boko Haram head on, and I am pleased to note that though sporadic attacks on soft targets have not stopped, the overall capacity of Boko Haram to hold territory and determine the course of the conflict has been severely degraded.

“If the current positive trends are maintained, we are confident that by the end of this year, we would have succeeded in permanently turning the tide against the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria,” he said.