Why corruption persists in Nigeria – Amaechi declares

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declared that corruption persists in the nation because criminals are not jailed or seriously punished.

In addition, he revealed that the Federal Government plans to build three seaports across the nation.

Amaechi advised public members not to celebrate people who enrich themselves through the stealing of public funds. He said this while delivering the 2021 Founders’ Lecture at the University of Port Harcourt.

He stated that such actions stir up corruption.

He said, “Until we begin to jail thieves, corruption would continue, why corruption is on the increase is because the offenders have not been punished, nobody has been jailed.”

The former Governor of Rivers State stated that the current regime of the President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was resolute to fight the danger of corruption and was doing so head-on.

Discussing the topic, ‘The role of transportation in nation-building’, Amaechi said lack of good road network could destroy the economy of the nation; also the government prioritized the transportation sector because of its significance.

The minister said no country can have an effective transport system without good seaports, saying the Federal government was planning to build three new seaports across the nation. The seaports would be located in Onne, Rivers State, Lekki in Lagos, and Warri in Delta State accordingly.

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. S. J Cookey, regretted that the Bonny seaport was declining and not effectively used.

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was born 27 May, 1965 in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. He is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Transportation in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. He previously served in oil-rich Rivers State as Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007.

Amaechi received a B.A in English & Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987. He further went to the University of Ilorin to obtain his MBA in 1992.

He got an Award of Excellence as the most productive Legislative House in Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Journalists June, 2000. He also holds the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

He is widely approved as one who improved the general living conditions of the people of Rivers State while he served as Speaker and particularly as Governor.

Amaechi and wife

Amaechi is married to Judith Amaechi and together they have three sons. He is a Catholic and a Knight of the order of Saint John (KSJ).