DAR ES SALAAM: ILALA District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo has advised society to fight corruption at the grassroots in order to get rid of unqualified servants who are hampering service delivery in public offices.
Speaking at Jakaya Kikwete (JK) Youth Park in Dar es Salaam over the weekend as he officiated the 2024 Anti-Corruption Bonanza, the commissioner said corruption involves not only cash but also granting opportunities to undeserving individuals.
The anti-corruption bonanza is part of a series of event organized by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in the designated Ilala Region, engaging students to raise awareness of the negative consequences of corruption in society and encouraging active participation in its eradication.
“Among many other things, I believe that this bonanza will be used to discuss that it is only through hard work that someone succeeds. Let the youth know that trickery and favoritism do not lead to success because once the person who favored you leaves the position, your life becomes difficult as you cannot stand on your own,” he stated.
He added, “As students, know that the basis of human development, both individual and national, results from hard work, and there is no other easy way. Those who give jobs to someone because he or she is a relative or those teachers who give ticks to students who do not deserve them; you are all corrupt and liable before the law.”
The DC further applauded the PCCB in Dar es Salaam for their initiatives in educating students on corruption, noting that the best way to eradicate corruption is by engaging youth in the fight, which will sever its roots and help society overcome its effects.
According to the DC, youth aged 15-35 are in a good position to hold various leadership positions, and with the anti-corruption watchdog PCCB’s initiative, there is a significant chance of attaining good and patriotic future leaders.
On his part, PCCB’s Ilala Regional Bureau Chief, Sosthenes Kibwengo, said that the main goal of the launched bonanza was to ensure that anti-corruption clubs in schools are strengthened, as they intend to invest more energy in educating youth about the effects of corruption.
According to Mr. Kibwengo, there are approximately more than 160 clubs in Dar es Salaam city council.
“This bonanza aims to gather youth and unite them in the fight against corruption. Our intention is to make youth understand that corruption is not acceptable, and therefore, they should work hard to succeed and not rely on illegal means,” he said.
