THE United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in collaboration with religious leaders on Wednesday launched a web-based self-help platform to engage the masses in the fight against corruption.
The anti-corruption website, christened “Report Yourself” avails the public the opportunity to report corrupt practices with options to file official complaints directly with law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Police Force Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit (NPF-PCRRU) through the use of internet enabled devices.
The initiative, which originated from the Religious Leaders Anti-Corruption (RLAC), was designed by a local non-governmental organisation, BudgIT, with funding from the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
Speaking during the launch in Lagos, the Charge d’Affairs of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, David Young, was optimistic that the new platform will initiate a “new movement” in the war against corruption as it puts the power to report corruption and bribery in the hands of the people.
Speaking he said, “I hope that ‘Report Yourself’ starts a new movement in citizen engagement and I hope every Nigerian who is affected by corruption will feel empowered to share their experiences.
“The tide will turn against the culture of corruption when Nigerians recognise that they must fight as one to stamp out this scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity.”
He urged Nigerians to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform, assuring of the inclusion of more enforcement agencies and the judiciary in the platform.
Also speaking at the event, members of RLAC Steering Committee, Bishop Emmanuel Isong and Imam Shefiu, described corruption as the “Nigerian satan” which was must be stymied not only by faith, but also by works.
They also renewed commitment to spread the gospel of the new innovation to their congregations.
In his speech, however, the Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of NPF-PCRRU, Abayomi Shogunle said that the agency was winning the war against police misconduct with the setup of a community based multiplatform channel known as the PCRRU.
He said that the PCRRU which is linked to Report Yourself website also has WhatsApp, BBM, Twitter, mobile and email contacts which members of the public can avail of in filing official complaints to the agency.
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