From Adamu Shehu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Chapter of the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) has stressed the need for partnering with government in sustenance of the fight against corruption especially in the civil service system.
This was disclosed on Saturday during a grand walk to marked this year’s African Anti-Corruption Day by the Chairperson of the association, Magistrate Shafa’u Ladan with a renew effort on government to fight corruption particularly in the areas of ghosts workers.
Ladan pointed out that the NCWS in partnering with State Government and other corporate bodies towards checkmating the menace among people of corruption.
“It is really disheartening and sad to be faced with challenges associated with ghost’s workers phenomenon. How can someone be collecting multiple salaries at the detriment of so many citizens of the state. Even with the lean resources of government, payroll kept swelling up due to proliferation of ghosts workers,” she said.
The Chairperson also maintained that “there are so many qualified citizens of Bauchi State that needs to be employed by the State Government, but a large chunk of the state’s funds goes into paying these unscrupulous elements in the form of ghost workers. Until this ugly challenge is mitigated, it is not likely that government may lift embargo on employment.”
Shafa’u Ladan appealed to women groups to sustain the tempo in advocating for a society that is free of corruption and also raise their voices against gender based violence in any form.
Mrs. Bulak Afsa Chairperson of Women Journalists Bauchi state chapter (NAWOJ) says they will contribute in carrying out sustained campaigns against corruption in the series of their reportage.
“Such campaigns will go a long way in drumming up support for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance. It is a clarion call that must be answered by all, to ensure a just society that would be the pride of future generations,” she added.
The African Union convention on prevention and combating corruption was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique on 11 July 2003, and came into force in 2006.
Since the adoption of the convention, African states have made significant efforts in the fight against corruption including the establishment of National Laws and the creation of Anti- Corruption Agencies.
Those in attendance during the grand walk were civil society organizations, women groups from all works of life within the state.
