Rwandans should steer clear of corruption at all costs to avoid giving services to wrong beneficiaries, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has said. Murekezi made the remarks on Saturday while addressing Gicumbi District residents who attended the launch of forest planting season 2016/2017 in the area. The premier encouraged Rwandans to be characterised by anti-corruption culture. He noted that the Government fights corruption for its many adverse effects on development. “Someone might think that they have developed through corruption, but that [‘development’] is short-lived,” he said. “Corruption deprives citizens of their rights as the crooks receive services before those who deserve them. These are very bad practices which make the right people lose trust in institutions,” he said. He encouraged the honest people to keep good intention, the bravery to be noble-minded in the country “so that we do not get stuck in corruption which is destructive to society.” PM Murekezi’s anti-corruption message comes ahead of the annual Anti-Corruption Week which will start on December 2, 2016 under the theme “Give your contribution, report corruption”. This culture, he said, will ensure that those who give bribe and those who receive it get punished in conformity with the laws in Rwanda, encouraging all Rwandans to participate in the Week. The campaign, organised by the Office of the Ombudsman, is due to run from December 2 to December 9, 2016. The Corruption Perception Index (CIP) 2015, produced by Transparency International, ranked Rwanda, least corrupt country in the region, fourth on African continent and 44th worldwide, with the report recording an improvement in the country’s percentage score from 49 to 54 per cent. The report showed that corruption remains rife and an issue of concern across the world and revealed that poor countries lose $1 trillion a year to corruption, which calls for timely justice. During the 2016 Anti corruption Week, a number of activities will be carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman in closer collaboration with partners; radio and TV talk shows on the effects of corruption on development, a youth congress, dialogue with media practitioners, religious bodies to bring them on the board in the fight against corruption, according to Clement Musangabatware, the Deputy Ombudsman in charge of Preventing and Fighting Corruption and Related Offences. “In general, Rwandans remain optimistic about low levels of corruption in Rwanda. 51% of respondents perceived corruption as low. The positive trend is underscored in the category of perceived high corruption. In 2015, only around 7 per cent of respondents perceived corruption in Rwanda as high, which signifies almost 10 per cent improvement compared to 2014,” said Musangabatware. On December 9, Transparency International, Rwanda Chapter will publish Rwanda Bribery Index 2016 and three best districts advisory councils to fight against corruption and injustice in 2015 will be awarded. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
