THE Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Justice Emmanuel Ayoola has reiterated that Nigeria ran the risk of total and irredeemable collapse if immediate and drastic action was not taken to stem the devastating effect of corruption on the economic, political, social and moral structures of the country.

He made the call at the induction course for Federal Roads Maintenance Agency's (FERMA) Anti-Corruption and Transparency Committee liaison officers in Abuja.

Ayoola stressed that too much damage had been done to the corporate culture in the public service that it was only by constantly adhering to ethical and professional standards that the desired change could be effected.

He noted that ICPC has over 150 cases in courts across the country involving over 500 accused persons and was determined to enforce the Provisions of Act No.5 of 2000 without any fear or favour.

Represented by the Desk Officer, ICPC, Mr. Luck Nwosu, the ICPC boss told the inductees that they had the duty to provide punitive, preventive measures, enlightenment and above all, a holistic framework for the fight against corruption.

In his address, the FERMA's Managing Director, Kabir Abdullahi appealed to the staff of the agency to shun corruption and other malpractices that would prevent the organisation from providing good services to road users in the country.

Abdullahi noted that the non-performance linked to corrupt practices had the potential to tarnish the image and potential of any organisation, adding that as a public organisation sustained by taxpayers' money, FERMA needed to radically improve on its image.

He said: "Honesty is an overarching umbrella for transparency, dedication to duty and having the right behaviour and attitude to work. You should bear in mind that God is seeing you and that you are going to give account for whatever you have done with tax payers' money before God, we have to exhibit the fear of God in whatever we do".