Apparently, there is no country in the world that does not suffer from the menace of bribery and corruption. In every life, organization or universe, which has been originally created for good and good alone. Somehow the forces of tends to negate that original notion creeps in, grows and even contends for more space. And in some cases, it takes over the good. Back in the days, well I was not born then, the concept of an independent nation was assumed on good tidings, at least publicly. But along the line, certain stains came on to their proverbial white garments; one (or two) of which are the topic of Bribery and Corruption.
Very well, it is true that there is no country in the world that does not have an iota of these two monsters. It is just that some are at the higher end of the scale while some, the lower end. From the little throwback I did in the last paragraph, I said "publicly" because that is what we were made to believe. Not until I dived deeper by reading some old books written by some people both indigenes and foreigners (with the colonials then) with no bias for both parties. This was where I discovered that bribery and corruption did not just start after independence, it has been lurking both in the shadows and behind office holders way back. We are just lucky (or unlucky) that it has now broadened into the limelight than before as it has spread to every nook and cranny of any sector you can think of. Well, pre-independence corruption ain’t the story for today, maybe next time.
NOW, HOW BAD IS IT IN MY COUNTRY?
Frankly, I’d say not that bad but it is still bad! I said that because relatively there are countries that are very much worse. Let me site an example: In my last post, I mentioned that how I was on a journey and all that. My vehicle pass through many police checkpoints where nothing but one was checked. How much the drivers gave to them! The only place we were stopped and on officer looked inside and told all the guys to come down. I just smiled and he asked why. I said ain’t we all humans, so the ladies were just set aside. What I am even trying to bring out here is that, the officer may not persecute anyone found of any incriminating material as long as you can justify yourself through money – not bail.
This has allowed many crimes to go rampant and the criminals still move freely. At worst, an innocent man could get punished for being innocent. I think that is why some people resolve to jungle justice, even though I do not agree with that.
This scenario plays out to the top too, Infact it flows from the top. We have seen how people who have eaten up the funds for government contracts and that is if they even use substandard things for the projects. Same goes for those who hoarded palliatives meant for the masses and one was even saying then that (s)he planned to distribute it on the birthday. What?!
And those who eat up these things go scott free by giving bribes to the appropriate quaters and still nothing shakes them. Well, I do not blame them entirely, the system has been modified to accommodate that as the norm such that even if a sane human wants to change it it is the system that will despirately fight and kick you out.
WHAT DO I THINK CAN BE DONE?
Honestly, left to me, I have kind of lost hope in changing one system o. Mine is to have money and cater for those around me. But for the purpose of this context, I will put down some things.
The Anti-Corruption Agencies should be reinvigorated - pressed down and shaked from the top to bottom. Charity begins at home, they say. They need to be sure that they are corruption-free so as to be ready to persecute corruption to the fullest. I remember there was a time a Chairman of an anti-corruption agency was allegedly corrupt - which was never supposed to be so even as allegedly as it is!
Besides, there should be platforms by which the members of the public can lay complaint about anywhere or anybody where such vices exist. At times, you'd see that your documents may not be possessed as quickly as possible unless you give the person money for airtime...Imagine 5k for airtime, when you are not the Minister of Communications? Although, it could be said that those platform exists but I tell you they are non-existent and doing nothing. They should be scrapped and built from scratch again with a better system.
One thing that also causes to indulge in this is not.knowing one's constututional rights. If you know them, no one can just behave anyhow to you to the extent of you having to give the person undue benefits. Infact, if it were in an incorruptible judicial system, you could take the person to court to seek redress and even get paid for whatsoever reasons. I think I'd add that to my future goals!