Windhoek — The International Anti-Corruption Day was commemorated last Friday with the Namibia Competition Commission (NCC) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Speaking at the occasion, at the ACC headquarters, Secretary of the NCC Mihe Gaomab II said with the MoU the two institutions will cooperate against bid rigging and collusive tendering through information sharing; facilitation of investigations; collaboration on research and analysis where appropriate and engage in joint training and advocacy.

"Corruption is a worldwide phenomenon and is now recognised to be one of the world's greatest challenges," said Gaomab II. He noted corruption was a major hindrance to sustainable development, with a disproportionate impact on the poor, and is corrosive on the very fabric of society.

Through the signing of this agreement the NCC affirms its commitment to jointly fight corruption. "The MoU involves an action plan which will include a joint working committee from both the ACC and the NCC to ensure that the agreement does not gather dust, but is implemented and its objectives are realised," the secretary added.

Also speaking at the same occasion, UN Resident Coordinator Dr Musinga T. Bandora delivered a message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Bandora said the cost of corruption is measured not just in the billions of dollars squandered or government resources stolen, but most poignantly in the absence of hospitals, schools, clean water, roads and bridges that might have been built with that money and would have certainly changed the fortunes of millions of families and communities.

He added that corruption destroys opportunities and creates rampant inequalities. It also undermines human rights and good governance, stifles economic growth and distorts markets.