Asset declaration not enough to curb corruption - Saraki

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Sunday said public declaration of assets, currently being canvassed by the President-Elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.),  is not enough to curb corruption in the country. Saraki,  through a statement by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, in Abuja on Sunday, noted that though,  asset declaration was an accepted protocol of statutory disclosure, the action alone, “cannot reduce corruption as a stand-alone measure, as we had seen in previous administrations.” To reduce corruption in governance and public administration, Saraki canvassed “a comprehensive and cohesive, thorough policy of accountability, which must be implemented, starting from proper civil service training and monitoring.” He said, “Corruption has been one of the greatest challenges we face as a country in years past and all efforts, both personal commitment and systemic arrangements, should be put in place to further cage this endemic in our society.” Saraki, who was recently re-elected into the National Assembly as a Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District,  called on all politicians both elected and appointed, to as a matter of national importance,  emulate the exemplary leadership of Buhari. He described the idea of public declaration of assets as a welcome development and urged political office holders to embrace it and remain committed to transparency and accountability in every aspect of their lives. The federal lawmaker noted that this was necessary  to restore the confidence of the citizenry in government.