A public policy analyst, Nya-Etok Ezekiel, has linked an aspect of corruption in Nigeria to the nature of the system that has been in practice in the oil-rich nation.

Giving his opinion about the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to tackle corruption, Mr Nya-Etok stressed the need for the government to address corruption that is fueled by the poor remuneration of civil servants and lack to basic amenities and good education.

He told Channels Television on Friday that another component of the corruption challenge in Nigeria was the process of awarding contracts presently, which he said was a deviation of what was obtainable in the past.

“Ninety to 100 per cent of civil servants live in houses that are a minimum of 60 to hundred per cent of their resources.

“The salary of a civil servant is not enough to meet their basic needs. We are not realistic in a lot of ways.

“Who is your foot soldier? We are talking of the police or Service Chiefs being given a matching order. Have you taken a good look at the police? What is the insurance, welfare, kitting and remuneration that you are giving him?

“There is a part of corruption which is instituted by the system and there is also a part of corruption which is instituted by greed.

“I will be glad if Mr President looks at greed induced corruption.

“These people that are taking billions. They are not taking billions to live in a decent house, send their children to school or for healthcare. They are taking it out of greed.

“Let the system give the body language by looking into their case to motivate them,” he suggested.

Mr Nya-Etok also stressed the need for the government to reconsider the process of awarding the contracts and mobilising the contractors.

He, however, expressed optimism that President Buhari could tackle corruption, giving his antecedents, but advised that he should focus on persons that had looted the country’s resources to satisfy their greed.