Kano State former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said that corruption will remain endemic in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other agencies unless government changes its attitude to governance.
He said goverment must ensure that every kobo allocated to ministries and agencies are not only judiciously used but also accounted for.
Kwankwaso, a former defence minister and senator, was also a former member representing North West on the NDDC board before he resigned in 2010.
The former minister spoke in an interview wit the BBC Hausa Service. His comments were coming on the heels of the investigation into the activities of the NDDC by the National Assembly.
Kwankwaso said he resigned his position in 2010 because the things that were happening at that time contradicted his belief in championing the cause of the people.
“On the day I resigned, we were seated and discussing issues and we heard that the managing director was being accused of misappropriating billions of naira.
“All of a sudden he started laughing. I thought he had a sound defence. But eventually I realised that he didn’t even see the allegations as anything to worry about.
“And somehow most of the other members were only accusing him of shortchanging them”.
When asked what he did as a senator to ensure transparency and accountability in the NDDC, Kwankwaso said the problems were too many in the country.
He said what is most important is for government to ensure that whoever does wrong is punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He blamed the corruption in the NDDC on the attitude of leaders saying, “Many times, people will break the law and embezzle the resources of an agency, and businesses will just continue as usual.”
