By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
As a way of tackling the hydra headed problem of corruption in the country, the executive director of Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor has advocated life imprisonment for corrupt officials.
Speaking Friday December, 9 in Benin on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, the executive director of ANEEJ, Rev. Ugolor who reiterated the group’s opposition to the death penalty, tasked the National Assembly on legislation prescribing long prison terms for corrupt practices.
With over 133 million or 63% of Nigerians living in multi dimensional poverty, Rev. Ugolor called for a concerted efforts against the high cases of corruption in the country.
The anti-corruption crusader lamented Nigerians growing concern over how government both at the federal, states and local governments are managing the nation’s wealth.
Represented by the deputy executive director, Comrade Leo Atakpu, he challenged Niger Delta governors to give accurate account of the N625.4 billion refund of 13% oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P from the federal account in 2021 and 2022.
He said: “These resources have not translated to significantly to improving the living condition of the people. The people must now begin to hold these governments to account on the use of public funds.”
Flanked by a member of the board of ANEEJ, Comrade Nowinta Igbotako and Sandra Eguagie of the Mentoring and Evaluation Manager, Atakpu maintained that corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires, adding that it also stunt economic development while foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses find it very difficult to survive.
Ugolor advised the federal government to avoid the pitfalls of the previous strategy by inaugurating the Inter Ministerial Committee as it has the responsibility to facilitate the Anti-Corruption Funding Framework and the development of sector specific strategies for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).
He added: “We equally encourage the federal government to provide support to the Inter-Agency Task Team to meet quarterly to promote learning and collaboration among anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.
“We are encouraged by the effort of Nigerian government in concluding work on some anti-corruption laws as we now have the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act 2022, the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.”
Rev. Ugolor however urged the Presidential Initiative for Continuous Audit to expedite action on the Witness and Management Bill and Public Interest Disclosure and Protection Bill 2022 (Whistleblower Bill) as they are still pending.
Ahead of the 2023 polls, Igbotako advised Nigerians to take their country back by voting for the right candidates as it is the best way of tackling corruption.