The Former Commander for National anti smuggling operations of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Alhaji Osman Zigani has urged government to take measures to enhance the integrity of officers in the security services .
According to him , one of the best ways government can tackle corruption is to ensure that officers are not easily influenced by the top brass in the chain of command .
He explained that officers with integrity usually have a hard time on making crucial decisions when they find themselves between doing the right thing and obeying the directives of their bosses in matters that affect the state .
He added that , officers who choose the former are usually victimized with threats and sanctions of higher officers which does not augur well in ensuring a higher standard of professionalism in the security services . He stressed that only officers with impeccable integrity can stand the pressure of capitulating to such demands .
Alhaji Zigani who spoke with the Host of Zongo Hype Show, Lamin Shiekh Hamahulai about his life career and personal experiences after retirement in an exclusive interview on Goodies Radio, encouraged civil servants to be selfless, regardless of the consequences of discharging their duties to the state.
While admitting that being honest is not very rewarding especially in situations that can easily make you corrupt, He nevertheless admonished officers who are still in active service to continue to put the country first at all times. He emphasized that God has a way of compensating officers who worked honestly for their country .
He said the inability of the state to honor its hard working servants may also be a contributing factor to the corruption menace that had plagued almost all civil service institutions.
Narrating his experiences as a customs officer, He said the satisfaction and encouragement He received for discharging his duties honorably gave him the impetus to keep his integrity intact.
Alhaji Zigani used the occasion to not only appeal to government to create opportunities for the less endowed people in communities like zongo but to crate economically empowering programs that is capable of alleviating poverty in such areas .
by Mohammed Awal.
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