Calle speaks out on corruption
Finance minister Calle Schlettwein hit all the right notes in his budget statement presentation in the National Assembly yesterday, including telling government officials to uphold good governance.
Schlettwein said the fight against corruption needed to be addressed.
“Corruption, or better the fight against it, needs our full attention,” he said.
“Whether it is the misuse of office, soliciting and receiving bribes, inflating tender prices or whatever improper conduct, persons who further their personal gain to the detriment of the common good must be dealt with. It is well known that the poor suffer most from the impact of corruption.”
Inflated tender prices for government projects have raised eyebrows, with so-called middlemen often accused of pushing up tender prices, which is an immense burden on state coffers.
“Let us all make sure that all parties to these illicit activities are brought to book. Government has to play an active role in this fight, but so has the private sector. No one should engage in this 'dance with the rattlesnake', where the initial moves may be very pleasant, but in the end, when the snake has bitten it becomes lethal. Let us jointly remove the snakes from the dance floor by reporting them instead of engaging them.”
During his budget presentation, Schlettwein announced that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) would receive an additional N$5 million to make provision for swift investigation and prosecution.
“It must also engage widely in education, capacity-building and preventive approaches, because stopping corruption at its roots is far better than letting it happen and dealing with culprits thereafter,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
Schlettwein said the fight against corruption needed to be addressed.
“Corruption, or better the fight against it, needs our full attention,” he said.
“Whether it is the misuse of office, soliciting and receiving bribes, inflating tender prices or whatever improper conduct, persons who further their personal gain to the detriment of the common good must be dealt with. It is well known that the poor suffer most from the impact of corruption.”
Inflated tender prices for government projects have raised eyebrows, with so-called middlemen often accused of pushing up tender prices, which is an immense burden on state coffers.
“Let us all make sure that all parties to these illicit activities are brought to book. Government has to play an active role in this fight, but so has the private sector. No one should engage in this 'dance with the rattlesnake', where the initial moves may be very pleasant, but in the end, when the snake has bitten it becomes lethal. Let us jointly remove the snakes from the dance floor by reporting them instead of engaging them.”
During his budget presentation, Schlettwein announced that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) would receive an additional N$5 million to make provision for swift investigation and prosecution.
“It must also engage widely in education, capacity-building and preventive approaches, because stopping corruption at its roots is far better than letting it happen and dealing with culprits thereafter,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
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