Our Reporter
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, says lawmakers will ensure that Nigerians get a survival wage that can take them home in the ongoing minimum wage review.
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Abbas, who was represented by Rep Busayo Oluwole-Oke, made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms and Behaviour Change in Nigeria.
The event was organised by the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC in collaboration with Anti- Corruption Academy of Nigeria, supported by MacArthur Foundation.
The speaker, who pledged legislators’ support to the ICPC in its fight against corruption, however, said that factors that encouraged or promoted the menace must be dealt with.
“We must acknowledge that there are different factors that influence the attitude or action of citizens to indulge in corruption.
“For instance, the question around a survival wage system is a big factor.
“A situation where the take-home pay of a large segment of the population is unable to take them home is a recipe for all manners of corruption.
“This is why the House of Representatives is particularly interested in the ongoing review of minimum wage in the country. The House this time around will ensure that Nigerians get a survival wage that could take them home,” he said.
He said that in many societies, where corruption is on a low scale, there are social safety nets that guarantee protection for the people and Nigeria had the capacity to do the same.
“As lawmakers, there is often a significant societal pressure and expectation placed upon us to provide various services, assistance, and functions that may fall outside the scope of legislative responsibilities.
“I am sure we are familiar with the level of pressure Legislators undergo owing to a deluge of requests for financial and corollary assistance from our Constituents.
“Make no mistakes about it, this pressure is a fall out from the prevailing poverty rate, precipitated by the factors mentioned above,” he said.
According to him, while changing social norms is essential for combating corruption effectively, we must equally address those circumstances that inform those behaviours.
“Behaviour change interventions aim to challenge existing norms and promote ethical behaviour.
“These interventions can take various forms, including awareness campaigns, education programmes, value reorientation, community engagement initiatives, and legal reforms.
“By targeting social norms and promoting ethical behaviour, it is possible to create an environment where corruption is less tolerated and more strongly condemned,” he said.
The Speaker said that it was not enough to advocate a change of attitude or behaviour, there must be a deliberate policy of government in this regard.
Abbas said that the policy had to address a living wage for citizens and close the gap created by governance failure.
“Let me state that curbing corruption in Nigeria through social norms and behaviour change requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.
“By targeting social norms, raising awareness, strengthening institutions, promoting ethical leadership, and implementing effective legal measures, social security policy,
“It is possible to create a society where corruption is less tolerated and more actively combated,” he said.
NAN