Nigeria Improves In TI Corruption Rating

Nigeria has improved 14 notches in the latest corruption ranking of 180 countries by Transparency International (TI), the global organ leading the crusadeagainst public sleaze.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2007 released in London on Wednesday rated Nigeria the 31st most corrupt country, and placed it 147th with two other countries out of the 180 assessed.This confirmed the exclusive report in Daily Independent on September 25 that the country would move up the scale, based on the positive performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption and money laundering.

Nigeria had in 2006 ranked the 17th most corrupt country, following its rating of 146 out of 163 countries surveyed.
It was graded the most corrupt in 2003, second most corrupt in 2004, and third most corrupt in 2005.The improvement on the global scale comes 10 days after United States President, George Bush, praised the EFCC for its seizure of millions of Dollars from the proceeds of crime, and for its anti-money laundering efforts.

Concerted measures are urgently needed in rich and poor countries to stem the flow of corrupt monies, and make justice work for the poor, she added."Developed and developing countries must share responsibility for reducing corruption, in tackling both the supply and demand sides."Despite some gains, corruption remains an enormous drain on resources sorely needed for education, health and infrastructure".Labelle advised low scoring countries to take the latest corruption results seriously, and to immediately strengthen accountability in public institutions.