The Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCAC) has solicited the support of the media in the fight against corruption.
The PCAC Acting Executive Chairman, Mr Mahmoud Balarabe, made the appeal while briefing newsmen in Kano, on Thursday, on the mission and plans to improve the general functions of the commission.
“The mission and plans to improve the general functions of the commission is provided under section 15 of PCAC law 2010 as amended”, he said, citing the media as critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption as ”anti corruption is everybody’s business”.
” if we don’t join hands, collaborate and sacrifice to fight the menace of corruption, there will be no light at the end of the tunnel because corruption destroys everything, especially opportunities and morality”, he added.
According to him, the commission was empowered to receive complaints and investigate all other matters related to corruption on its own, without receiving any complaints.
“We don’t prosecute. At the end of the investigation, we give recommendations to the Attorney General of Kano State to file a charge against those investigated, if necessary”, he explained.
Balarabe noted that the commission will improve and give all the necessary support to the PCAC institute, in addition to training government officials on issues of corruption.
“I will make sure all schools in the state have anti-corruption clubs and sensitize the students on the dangers of corruption”, he also said.
He added that the commission was working in conjunction with the state House of Assembly to review PCAC’s law and establish other laws to strengthen the functions and improve the performance of the commission.
“We will continue with the strict compliance to the rule of law and procedure in the commission.
” The commission will have power over the increases in the price of commodities by marketers and manufacturers.
“I discovered that the number of complaints received normally in the commission do not exceed 35. But, on Aug.31, the commission received 60 complaints.
” It shows that the public now have more confidence in the commission. We are ever ready, at anytime to improve and make sure we resolve every complaint received “, Balarabe said.
He stressed that the commission would implement the Open Government Partnership (OGP) for transparency, accuracy and inclusivity, while reaching out to people through Civil Society Organizations.
Similarly, the commission had also collaborated with the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the Police and CSO’s, in order to succeed in its fight against corruption, he added.
The Acting Executive Chairman commended Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, for the support given to the commission and for establishing the P
