CHAIRMAN of a coalition of over 200 non-governmental organizations working to ensure transparency and accountability in Nigeria's extractive industry, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, Rev. David Ugolor, has said that community-based groups in the country have the potential to check corruption in the country if adequately sensitized.

Just as a member of the steering of the group and president of Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Mr. Anthony Akpan, said the practice of true federalism will curb corruption in the country as there will be more money at the lower level of government where properly sensitized Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) will be able to monitor states and local councils.

Both men spoke at a one-day town hall interactive sensitization meeting on the theme: "Increasing Citizens Participation in the Management of Revenue in the Extractive Sector" at Amukoko area of Lagos State at the weekend. Rev. Ugolor was represented by his programme officer, Mr. Otsemye Newton who spoke with journalists at the occasion.

He said the implication of what they are doing in the short-run is that "people will now begin to engage their government on transparency and accountability issue."