TI looks to Rwanda for lessons on graft fight- official

Transparency International (TI) is looking to Rwanda for best practices to replicate to other countries in the fight against corruption. Vice-chairperson of Transparency International (TI) Board of Directors, Elena Panfilova made the remarks, yesterday, during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana at the police headquarters in Kacyiru.

Panfilova said Rwanda National Police efforts to combat corruption were “impressive and sustainable.”

“The anti-corruption strategies and policies you developed here are very impressive; I was particularly impressed with how the Police here work in openness with NGO and the Civil Society,” said Panfilova.

She went on to say that in dealing with emerging graft related crimes, the world today needs to “internationalise corruption related crimes to ensure that offenders have no safe haven., The New Times reports.

“We need to share most of these best practices that have worked in some countries and help others to emulate.”

During the meeting, IGP Gasana highlighted strategic measures designed to stamp out corruption within the force.

The measures include wealth declaration by all senior officers, establishment of the anti-corruption unit, disciplinary unit, the ethics centre and performance contracts, among others.

Gasana added that Police signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several institutions, including Transparency International-Rwanda, Office of the Ombudsman, Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), National Commission for Human Rights, and all the 30 districts geared towards collectively fighting graft.

“All these measures are put in place to ensure we don’t go off the line – In fact, our laws and institutions in the country have no remorse for any corrupt officials irrespective of what position the person hold or the amount involved in the case,” IGP Gasana said.

“Rwanda cannot afford to build on shaky foundation, that’s why we invest all efforts possible to fight graft and ensure we completely eradicate it in our country,” he said.

He noted that the police use all channels possible, including toll free lines community policing and the media to respond to public concerns and also receive complaints, including those related to corruption.

Panfilova pledged continued partnership with Police in the quest to fight against corruption.

UM– USEKE.RW