Considering the hindrances corruption poses in the development of Nigeria, the Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has revealed its commitment to fight alongside the federal Government against corruption.
The executive Director of ANEEJ, David Ugolor, who was represented by His Deputy, Lea Atakpu, made this known, in Abuja during a Policy dialogue: taking Nigeria Anti-coruption fight to the next level.
“This Dialogue is one of our activities in the Transparency and Accountability in the recovery and management of looted Assets (IMANTRA) project which is a sub-sect of the Anti-Corruption in Nigeria (ACORN) programme being supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID). The ACORN programme is providing support over five years (2017-2022) to Nigerian authorities and civil society to tackle corruption by mitigating public tolerance and ensuring that those who are corrupt are caught and punished.”
“The project aims at supporting the anti-corruption efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly in the areas of asset recovery and changing behavior of Nigerians that tend to fuel corruption in the land”
“The purpose of this policy dialogue, therefore is to provide opportunity for stakeholders to among others; 1. Review progress made by the current administration in the fight against corruption 2. Review major challenges/obstacles to Nigeria’s Anti-Graft Efforts and proffer solutions 3. Set an anti-corruption agenda for the second term of president Muharnmadu Buhari.”
” The policy dialogue is expected to come up with an outcome statement wich will be communicated to the president and the Clerk of the National Assembly as well as friends of Nigeria”.
However, Having identified the effort put in place in the fight against corruption, such as the Open Government Partnership, the establishment of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PA CAC), which designed a national anti corruption system, Atakpu, Speaking on the Cardinal priority of Buharis presidency which is “war against corruption”, pointed out some loopholes that needs to be addressed to achieve this administrations objective:
“The just concluded 2019 general elections which saw the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari for another four-year term comes with a lot of implications and expectations. The implication is that; opportunity has been created to assess the performance of the current administration in it avowed war against corruption, which has been a cardinal priority of the Buhari presidency…”
“The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency Act was enacted during the period under review, but a number of legislations intended to strengthen the fight against corruption could not be passed included the all-important Proceed of Crime Bill, Some have also cited the poor implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, -7015, where the country has not made progress in several high-profile corruption case which are currently pending in different courts.”
Share this
