Lai Mohammed(Minister Of Information and Culture) Reveals Why Poverty Rate Increased in Nigeria

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed has spoken on the anti-corruption war of the current administration as well as corruption as the major catalyst of poverty in Nigeria on Tuesday during his meeting with Abuja Bureau Chiefs in Abuja.
He reiterated that some corrupt officials in the country are beginning to sabotage the anti-craft war by branding it as selective and dictatorial in both the local and international media.

He said, ''The cost of corruption is evidenced in the rate poverty in the country. Whereas Nigeria's national budget has increased from just over 900 billion Naira in 1999 to over 6 trillion Naira in 2016, poverty has also increased almost by the same proportion. The reason is not far fetched: Appropriated funds have mostly ended up in the pockets of a few looters.

''When the money meant to construct roads are looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and the people suffer and even die in avoidable road accidents. When the money meant to provide electricity is looted, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When the money meant for healthcare is pocketed by a few, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

''These are the costs of corruption. Let us not just talk about corruption in the abstract, let us be counting its cost to our lives, in order to drive home the point that corruption must be tackled decisively for Nigerians to feel the impact of governance."

The Minister said it was saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of pro-corruption orchestra, while some "hack writers" are struggling to whittle down the impact of the anti-corruption campaign