Corrupt govts 'killing kids'
2008-09-24 21:59
Tunis - Corrupt governments and the greed of Western companies is blighting the supply of water in Africa and killing millions of children worldwide, a leading NGO said on Tuesday.
Peter Eigen, the outgoing president of Transparency International, told a press conference in Tunis that Africa is "one of the most corrupt regions" and that this is "hindering progress on improving water and sanitation facilities.
"Corruption kills 11 million children aged under five each year, who die from curable diseases or due to lack of water or sanitation," Eigan said.
Eigen also said 1.2 billion people worldwide suffer from a lack of potable water and 2.6 from a lack of sanitation.
"Western countries are in no position to criticise others, considering the way their companies behave," he added.
Transparency International's report, written by one of their experts Donal O'Leary, accuses governments and corporations of "indulging in corruption with decision makers and perpetuates poverty that their people live in".
The document also accuses China and Spain of being "water polluters that overexploit their natural resources and indulging in corrupt practices".
The NGO says Lesotho and India have diverted funds and manipulated markets. Paraguay, Malawi, Equator, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Kenya and Zimbabwe are equally cited for their poor management of water and sanitation infrastructure.
The hydroelectricity sector, which is worth $50bn of investment each year, is affected by corruption in India, Argentina, Paraguay, China, Indonesia and Zambia.
Transparency International says greater participation from third-sector organisations and political will is needed to fight against corruption.