By Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse
The Chairman Jigawa State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, (JSPCAC), Barrister Salisu Abdu said the commission would focus more attention on prevention of corrupt practices aimed at discouraging and reducing the act to minimal level.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the head of education and public enlightenment in the commission, Mr Yusif Suleman to our reporter in Dutse, the state capital.
According to him that would be achieved through massive campaign against corruption and abuse of office and also through mass media.
According to the statement, the commission’s chairman is determined to collaborate with media organizations to intensify massive public enlightenment campaign against the immoral act to prompt the general public to take it as their duty and responsibility to discourage and expose any corrupt person without fear irrespective of his/her status.
Mr Yusif Suleman explained that “In that regard the chairman led the commission’s management and pay courtesy visits on some media stations in the state to inform them of his plan to collaborate with them to achieve the objective of the commission.
Speaking at some of the public and private Radio stations in the state during the courtesy visits, the JSPCAC chairman noted that “media and Radio stations are critical stakeholders to reach the general public in the fight against corruption.
According to the chairman, “The media houses will serve as vehicle through which the commission can reach out to many people of the state for enlightenment campaigns on the implication and consequences of engaging in corrupt practices”.
He said “our reason to putting more effort in prevention is in the believe that prevention is better than cure. We are determine to prevent it before it occur”.
In his word “One of the strategy of the commission is engaging in rigorous public enlightenment and education on the dangers of corruption as a way of preventing the menace in the society”
“The critical areas may be education and awareness through your various media, to educate people on the dangers of corruption, its implication and consequences and that is one area that we will want to relate with you”
“I believe if our activities are carried along to the doorstep of members of the public by the media, it would be easier for us to do our Job” the Chairman emphasized.
He further stated that it was part of the commission’s duties also to initiate investigations and prosecute any corrupt related offences, as well as receive complaints on civil cases from individuals or group and mediate in accordance with the law.
He, however stressed that the enormous responsibility cannot be achieved without the support of the media through which people would be sensitized on the agency’s existence and how they can approach it with their complaints free-of-charge on any matter that they feel aggrieved about.
The Chairman sought the support of various media organisations especially radio stations in achieving the objectives of a corrupt-free state.
He further stated that the commission is opened to suggestions that would help it to discharge it onerous responsibility.
The chairman also used the opportunity to assure the general public and individuals who wish divulge information of corrupt practices in any government agency of confidentiality.