BUJUMBURA July 27th (ABP) – The Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Media, on Tuesday July 26, 2022 in Bujumbura, validated the anti-corruption strategy to eradicate corruption and embezzlement economic and financial resources in all their forms and at all levels with a view to building a better Burundi.
In his opening remarks, the assistant to the Minister of Communication, Information Technologies and the Media, Mr. Thierry Kitamoya indicated that corruption is a phenomenon that plagues many societies including Burundi.
For that, he said that the government of the Republic of Burundi has put in place a national strategy for good governance and the fight against corruption, stressing that the ministry having communication in its attributions has not failed in this fight. to eradicate this scourge.
Mr. Kitamoya took that opportunity to point out that corruption has increased with the socio-political crisis experienced by the country, adding that it is present in all public administration services and people’s access to essential services sometimes remains dependent on bribe payments.
According to the national development plan (PND 2018-2027), at the level of the fight against corruption and related offenses, he pointed out that the Burundian government has put in place a legal and institutional framework for the prevention and repression of economic crimes. and the Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and the Media felt challenged and set up a commission responsible for developing an anti-corruption strategy in order to implement this PND.
As for the inspector general within the said ministry, Mr. Fidèle Basaba who presented the sectoral strategy for the fight against corruption, he indicated that this strategic plan for the fight against corruption comes to solve a problem, while specifying that the corruption in the ministry in charge of communication is a reality.
To achieve the objectives of eradicating corruption, Mr. Basaba pointed out that they have set axes which relate to the strengthening and control system, the establishment of audit services, organization of training sessions, and other.
He also cited the establishment of good governance and transparency to mean that corruption is linked to the lack of transparency and good governance. Mr. Basaba also pointed to prevention, education and sanctions as areas that can help achieve the objectives set.
The Inspector General at the Ministry having communication in his attributions has also listed the different forms of corruption, which are in particular active and passive corruption, bribery, embezzlement, favouritism. He recalled that corruption tarnishes the image of the country and scares away foreign investors. Where there is corruption, there is no development, he said.