The Nigerian Union of
Pensioners (NUP), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Harcourt branch, has linked the present economic challenges facing the nation to institutionalised corrupt practices in the country.
Chairperson of the union, Mr. Vincent Nweke, who disclosed this to journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, noted that every sector of the economy has been infested with corruption to the point that it has become a way of life to make money without working for it.
According to him, every policy of government to develop the economy will be frustrated because of greed, while monies earmarked will be diverted to private pockets and progammes left without execution.
Nweke applauded the steps taken by the Federal Government to sack as well as demote some directors and general managers of the authority whose cases were fraudulent.
He said that some of the directors and managers were recruited into the organization after their National Youth Service (NYSC) and were placed on management posts without prerequisite experience and qualification.
“How can one without relevant experience and qualification lead very well, all he will be after is on how to make money for himself.
“Even when the workers’ union then raised alarm over such issue, everything was swept under the carpet because of corrupt practice, and this also happens in other sectors.
“Tell me, how can Nigeria move forward, when money, budgets for development is not used for the purpose for which it was meant” he queries.
The pensioners chairman therefore, called on the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to be very thorough and fight corruption holistically.

Corlins Walter