The  District Com
mander National Anti-corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC), in Kwara South District,Mr.Olusola Babalola, has decried the high rate of complicity by bank workers in fraudulent practices.
Babalola told  newsmen, in Omu-Aran, that the level of bank workers’ involvement in fraud could retard the growth of the nation’s economy, if left unchecked.
The Tide source reports that NAVC is an arm of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to Babalola, the high rate of bank frauds, involving workers and running into millions of naira, can lead to loss of confidence in the nation’s banking sector.
He described as unfortunate, dangerous and worrisome, the habitual stealing of customers’ funds by bank personnel in spite of their impressive remuneration.
“I think we need not deceive ourselves on these incessant fraudulent practices involving staff of banks which have assumed dangerous dimension recently.
“These are the people engaged, trained purposely to keep, maintain and safe keep customers funds who have now found joy in stealing the same monies they are employed to safe guard.
“This ugly development, if not urgently addressed, can pose a grave danger to any effort toward the reinvigorating of the economy.
“It can also result in many customers passing a vote of no confidence on the nation’s banking system,” Babalola said.
He urged the relevant regulatory agencies in the sector, especially the Bankers Committee, to fashion out workable measures to stem the menace.
Babalola, who recently assumed duty as the district commander of NAVC in Omu-Aran, promised to partner other stakeholders to wipe out corruption and other related offences within communities.
He said the organisation had established ICPC/NAVC clubs in some schools in the area to instill transparency and honesty in students.
The commander said the organisation had also embarked on sensitisation campaigns in churches, markets and unions to educate the people on the dangers inherent in corrupt practices.
“The sensitisation is a continuous process to enlighten members of the public on the need to exercise high sense of integrity and honesty in their dealings,” Babalola said.
He listed the challenges of the organisation to include non-availability of patrol vehicles and office accommodation.
“We are appealing to community associations, leaders and philanthropists to assist the organisation in the discharge of its responsibilities,’’  Babalola said.