BEVERLY HILLS, CA, December 09, (THEWILL) – The National Assembly on Monday restated its commitment to fighting corruption in the country.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who made the promise while speaking at the Anti-Corruption Day organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) under the auspices of the NBA Anti-Corruption Commission, lamented that government agencies and individuals had been doing business in violation of anti-corruption laws.
He maintained that corruption has remained a serious issue requiring the efforts of all Nigerians.
“A list of manifestation of corruption, especially in the public sector of Nigeria is legion ranging from direct diversion of public funds to private pockets, contract over-pricing, bribery, impunity, nepotism, general financial recklessness, fraudulent borrowing and debt management, public assets striping, electoral fraud, shielding of corrupt public officers among others,” he noted.
Tambuwal said the constitution empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the good governance of the country, adding that the power include the power to make laws to fight corruption.
“In the exercise of this mandate, the National Assembly has enacted The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2002 and The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission Act 2000′ for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting Public Officers and other persons suspected of involvement in corrupt practices.
“In both legislations, the commissions are given extensive powers of investigation and prosecution to deal with all cases of corrupt practices and abuse of office that may arise.
“With respect to the specific objective of injecting transparency and accountability in the management of the resources of the nation, the National Assembly enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007. Both legislations make copious provisions aimed at engendering transparency and accountability in the public space.
“I make bold to say that if the provisions of these legislations and indeed others were diligently enforced, significant milestones would have been accomplished in the fight against corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria.
“Sadly however these legislations are observed more in the breach by the majority, including government and government agencies,” he said.
According to Tambuwal, a survey of the social media showed that 98 per cent of Nigerians who commented on the nation’s corruption index not only agreed with the country’s corruption ranking but also felt Transparency International was too generous to Nigeria.
The Speaker said the House of Representatives was currently working on some proposals for the reform of antigraft laws with a view to reinforcing the independence of the agencies administering the laws.
He however called on members of the NBA and all Nigerians to prepare to buy into the reforms by making inputs during public hearings.
“As representatives of the people, legislators will continue to be for all Nigerians their eyes to see, ears to hear and mouth to speak out against corruption anywhere and at anytime it rears its ugly head. The task may appear daunting but I wish to assure that with will, zeal, passion and determination, we shall eventually overcome this hydraheaded dragon.
“Only let us be single minded that it’s a task that must be done in order to preserve the country for posterity,” he said.
The chairman of the NBA Anti-Corruption Commission Yusuf Ali, SAN, had earlier called for the insertion of anti-corruption clauses in government contracts, saying this would lead to the forfeiture of the contract of any contractor found to have induced officials of government before obtaining the contract.
Ali also called for the enactment of a law like in the United States of America which prohibits public and political office holders from keeping for their own use, gifts above a certain amount which were given to them qua officio.
“We must promote meritocracy in place of tribal, religious and ethnic consideration. We must institute a nationally acceptable reward system for honesty and display of integrity, government policies and programmes must be set up and executed in ways that will promote zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.
