WAMAC, MACARTHUR Foundation Train Journalists, CSO’s, Security And Others

WAMAC, MACARTHUR Foundation train journalists,CSO’s, Security & Others on  mitigation of corrupt practices Against public infrastructure in Adamawa.

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

A Non governmental organization Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre,(WAMAC) in Conjunction with Radio Nigeria, FRCN-Fombina FM Yola have organized a town hall meeting for stakeholders on strengthening investigative data driven journalism in the fight against corruption in local languages of the country in Adamawa state.

During the Town hall meeting held in Yola, the state capital weekend, invited participants were driven from the print, broadcast and online media outlets, NOA, Security outfits,Civil society organizations politicians as well as people living with disabilities, PLWD with a view to enhance integrity and patriotism among Nigerians.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of WAMAC, Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris said that, the partnership of his Organization with Fombina FM with  support from MacArthur Foundation was solely aimed at propagation of change of narrative over the corrupt practices that have eaten so deep in to the fabrics of our society hindering development and progress.

Idris stated that, the theme of the gathering in Yola “Safeguarding public infrastructure Against corrupt practices underscores the importance of community involvement  in the fight against corruption.

Idris opined regrettably that in the recent trends of protesting against policies of the government that are viewed anti- people,both public and private properties and infrastructures have been maimed or vandalized in the name of protest which according to him negate the rationale behind the ideals good conscience.

He added that the community has a vital role to play in ensuring that public infrastructure is protected and utilized for the benefit of all therefore, engaged the participants for robust intelligence discussions through experiences and expertises for exploration of strategies for corruption prevention.

Earlier in his keynote speech, Guest speaker of the meeting, Former, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Professor Bashir Aliyu attributed that,most of economic/social hardships being experience in the country are caused by effects of corruption.

Professor Aliyu observed that corrupt practices underscore increase in prices and inflect project costs, delays in project completion which lead to poor quality infrastructure and distortion of the public spending among others.

Aliyu however urge all and sundry to have a rethink in the way and manner they do their engagements noting that corrupt practices stunts all facets of endeavors.

At the end of the well engaging and Frank interactive session stringent resolutions were unanimously agreed and adopted as communique of the meeting including: the community to ensure proper scrutiny of budgetary provisions and implementation to high cost of infrastructure.

Other resolutions arrived at were; behavioral and attitude changes, monitoring and reporting wrongdoings in execution of projects by employing Whistleblowing machanism of EFCC and ICPC,Religious leaders to appeal to their followers consciousness against corruption and social vices among others.