The Speaker of the Lower Chamber of Parliament, Rose Mukantabana, yesterday urged lawmakers to intensify action against corruption saying that the vice can significantly derail the nation’s economic growth.

She made the call while opening a day-long parliamentary anti-corruption meeting organized by African Parliamentarian Network against Corruption/ Rwanda- Chapter (APNAC-Rwanda).

The meeting brought together all MPs, Senators and parliamentary support staff.

"Corruption is a vice that is hard to eliminate and that is why collaborative efforts are required,” said Mukantabana.

She equated corruption to the HIV/AIDS saying that the two are closely related since both involve victimization.

Mukantabana called upon the entire House to be exemplary in the fight against corruption articulating that Parliament should take a lead by being a corrupt-free institution in the country.

 "Intensified curbing of corruption is one way to progressive development and economic growth,” she said.

The Speaker, however, accused nationals who do not invest in their country and opt to bank their money in foreign banks.

"Corrupt officials do not invest their money in the country; they instead opt to channel the money to foreign banks leaving people back home in extreme poverty,” she said.

The Chairperson of APNAC-Rwanda, Constance Mukayuhi, a member of the lower chamber, said that by virtue of Rwanda’s position as one of the poorest countries in the world, it has to protect its economy by strengthening measures against corruption.

"In order to catch up with the pace at which globalization is moving, we need to do away with all forms of corruption,” said Mukayuhi.

During the meeting, lawmakers hailed government policies and strategies and pledged to increase their collaboration with State institutions charged with fighting corruption.

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