Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on commercial
banks operating in the country to partner with the Federal Government
to effectively tackle corruption in the system.
Saraki who spoke when the management of Fidelity Bank Plc, led by its
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo,
visited him at the National Assembly, said the banks are at a vantage
position to disclose suspicious transactions to the relevant
authorities.
The Senate President, according to a statement by his Media Office in
Abuja, stated that the banks have a major role to play in stamping out
corruption from all aspects of the economy.
Saraki said: “I think also that the area that is key is the fight
against corruption. The banks must play a role in knowing your
customers, not only in knowing your customers but also being
accountable for the activities of your customers because in developed
societies, banks know that if their customers are being questioned in
any activity, they too are responsible for either not bringing it to
the attention of the government because there is nothing that happens
that does not go through the banking system.
“So, if the banking system is tight, it will bring the greatest
contribution in fighting corruption even more than anywhere else
because at the end of the day, it must come through the banking
system.
“But I think when the banks turn a blind eye saying it is not our
business, that does not help. I think we need to start looking at that
in supporting the government in addressing this area.”
He further urged banks to ensure that they lend support to
farmers in order to boost food production and stimulate the growth of
agriculture in the country.
Earlier, Okonkwo thanked the Senate President for receiving his team
despite his busy schedule, saying that the visit was in line with the
bank’s ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders in the economy.
He added that Fidelity Bank has been and would continue to provide
support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), industries and
telecommunication sectors in order to grow the economy.