Why Corruption Persists In Nigeria – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, disclosed why corruption persists in Nigeria.

The former Governor of Rivers State in his statement noted that corruption persists in the country because thieves are not jailed or severely punished.

He further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has plans to construct three new seaports across the country.

Amaechi while speaking at the 2021 Founders’ Lecture at the University of Port Harcourt, called on Nigerians to stop celebrating people who enrich themselves by stealing public funds, he added that celebrating such people would encourage corruption.

He said, “Until we begin to jail thieves, corruption would continue, why corruption is on the increase is because the offenders have not been punished, nobody has been jailed.”

Amaechi, however, stated that the Buhari government is determined to fight the menace of corruption.

Speaking on the topic, ‘The role of transportation in nation-building’, Amaechi said the absence of a good road network could cripple the nation’s economy, he added that the federal government is giving much attention to transportation.

He disclosed that the seaport would be located in Onne, Rivers State, Lekki in Lagos, and Warri in Delta State respectively.

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. S. J Cookey, lamented that the Bonny seaport was moribund and under-utilised.

A few days ago, former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday said Nigeria’s economy may not recover 50 years after President Muhammadu Buhari ends his tenure.

Fayose made this claim while reacting to the foreign capital flow into Nigeria which plummeted by 59.65% in the last year.

Fayose said considering the negative outlooks for the country, it would be wrong to describe the President as someone with integrity, as his supporters are wont to say.