Nigeria to uphold best practices in fight against corruption

Nigeria to uphold best practices in fight against corruption

The Nigerian government has pledged to uphold international best practices as well as ensure better synergy in its fight against corruption. 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR)’s report on the anti-corruption war.

The report, which was launched  in partnership with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), was entitled:   “ TUGAR’s Scoping Survey and Gap Analysis of Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Nigeria.’’

Obstacle to national development

Anyim decried the negative effects of corruption on Nigeria as the biggest obstacle to national development.

He said Nigeria’s signing of international anti-corruption conventions such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) as well as  the AU and ECOWAS’ protocols on corruption were meant to give bite to the fight.

The SGF explained that TUGAR was established in response to the need to provide synergy and coordination in the fight against corruption.

He described the launch of the report as critical to the fight against corruption and effective data gathering.

“The report being presented here today is the first in the ongoing process of establishing a comprehensive data-base which will form the backdrop for further and deeper analysis,’’ Anyim said.

He said government was committed to the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Law and the enactment into law of the “Witness and Whistle-Blower Protection Bill.’’

According to him, TUGAR, ICPC and the Bureau for Public Procurement would in August begin a corruption risk assessment of some MDAs with the aim of improving service delivery.

The Chairman of NEITI, Prof. Assisi Asobie, said preventing and combating corruption was key to achieving President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

He gave an assurance that NIETI would continue to work with other stakeholders and civil society organisations in its bid to ensure transparency in the extractive industry.

Mrs Zainab Ahmed, NEITI’s Executive Secretary, said the report would help provide the public and anti-corruption agencies in-depth knowledge and data  on challenges and prospects in the fight against corruption.

Reviewing the 149-page report, Ms Lilian Ekeanyanwu, Head of  TUGAR, commended Nigeria for substantially complying with the requirement of setting up dedicated and independent institutions to combat corruption.

She canvassed the need to ensure financial autonomy and security of tenure  for  heads of some anti-corruption agencies.

The occasion was attended by representatives of  NEITI, EFCC, ICPC, UNDP and civil society organisations.

NAN/Williams