The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL appreciates and applauds the coming-out of economic recession recently achieved by Nigeria describing as an important achievement that must be built on for the overall development of the country.
The Federal Government had through the National Bureau of Statistics officially announced to the public in August, 2016 that the country was recession; a situation accompanied with high cost of living for Nigerians, majority of whom were already pauperized.
The Executive Chairman, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran in welcoming the country’s new status of being ‘out of recession’, said “it is heartwarming that Nigeria is finally out of an economic recession that is arguably the worst that has ever hit the country, without any bit of doubt, the economy has made the conditions of living hard for majority of the citizens inadvertently.”
“The government must ensure that the gains of this achievement immediately begin to impact on lives of ordinary citizens in terms of giving succor for the pains they have had to bear all the while when the country was in recession. This is the only way it can be meaningful and impactful on the masses beyond statistics, figures, percentages, data and so on.”
A country’s economy enters into recession sequel to suffering contraction for two consecutive quarters. The NBS announced that in the second quarter of 2017, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew by 0.55% (year-on-year) in real terms, indicating the emergence of the economy from recession after five consecutive quarters of contraction since Q1 2016.
However, Adeniran averred that the Nigeria must ensure that the economy does not slide back into recession. “We know that it is fundamentally the rise in the international prizes of oil that has largely helped the country out which makes the economy to remain in a precarious situation based on the mono-economic practice of the past and present governments.”
“The only way we can keep recession at bay is to concretely and consciously diversify the economy beyond the ‘the scratch-on-the-surface’ approach we have been and still witnessing. Even though the government talks diversification, it certainly appears unserious about it wholesomely.”
“How we do diversify massively into agriculture, solid minerals, Mines and Steel Development etc with the huge infrastructural deficits bedeviling the system? None of these sectors can flourish to level of moving the country away from oil-driven economy without good roads, constant electricity, railways, silos, storage facilities, water etc. This is the enabling environment that government must create across board (rural and urban) in the country to make a success of diversification.”
“The government must halt its false pretenses at diversifying the economy and get real if it truly intends to match words with actions; funds must be ploughed into infrastructural development which will ultimately galvanize a very vibrant economy standing on multiple legs.” Mr. Adeniran concluded
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has backed Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC’s criticism of the National Assembly, NASS.
The revered Prof. was reported have said “From the information I have gathered, a Nigerian Senator earns about N29 million a month and over N3 billion a year. Basic salary N2,484,245.50; hardship allowance, 1,242, 122.70; constituency allowance N4, 968, 509.00; furniture allowance N7, 452, 736.50; newspaper allowance N1, 242, 122.70.
In addition, Sagay reportedly said “Wardrobe allowance N621,061.37; recess allowance N248, 424.55; accommodation 4,968,509.00; utilities N828,081.83; domestic staff N1,863,184.12; entertainment N828,081.83; personal assistant N621,061.37; vehicle maintenance allowance N1,863,184.12; leave allowance N248,424.55; severance gratuity N7, 425,736.50; and motor vehicle allowance N9, 936,982.00.”
The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr Debo Adeniran, in reacting to Sagay ‘exposure’, said “Between the present NASS and Prof., we will choose the latter in terms of the zeal and dedication to the cause of ridding our society of corruption. We know that the PACAC Chairman’s integrity is a million miles ahead when compared that of present NASS.”
The Senate in responding Sagay has requested President Muhammadu Buhari to call the PACAC boss to order accusing him of spreading falsehood and making hate speeches against the federal legislature. They alleged that Sagay was fond of using every opportunity he had to make public speeches to disparage the National Assembly by using “uncouth and unprintable words” to describe the legislators and the institution they represent. The lawmakers described him as a man who cannot stand for councillorship election and win. They also challenged him to state what his contributions are in the election of President Muhammadu Buhari and what new ideas he has contributed to making the fight against corruption more effective since his appointment.
Adeniran reacting to the lawmakers response to Sagay said “It is extremely ridiculous to hear the balderdash the lawmakers are trying use to divert attention for fundamental issues raised by the Professor. They have for long shrouded their remunerations in deep secrecy in spite of Nigerians demanding to know. Even reliance on the Freedom of Information Act will not make them bulge.”
“If truly they are women and men of honour, the logical response from the Senate should have been the task to ‘disprove’ the figures put forward the Sagay. We had said before that the present NASS is apparently the most inept in the history of Nigeria with considerable number of members having corruption cases.”
“We know it is because of the vibrant role Sagay is playing as the head PACAC that always make the NASS shiver any time he sneezes.” He concluded
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately take decisive steps to resolve the apparent rifts between the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC on one hand and the one between Inspector General of Police, IGP and Senator Misau on the other.
“The media is awash with the banters, accusations and counter-accusations that are being exchanged in the ‘rifts’ and this definitely calls for Presidential intervention which will encompass thorough investigations, transparency, compliance with rule of law and of course discretion. As a matter of fact, it is long overdue.” The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran said when putting forward the position of the Centre on the AGF/MAGU and IGP/Senator Isah Misau ‘rifts’.
“The ‘feud’ between the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu must immediately be waded into and with absolute circumspection by the President, he is their employer; the buck stops on his desk and the issues at stake are of National and public interests.”
“We state unequivocally, that a divided approach in the battle against corruption, especially, spells only doom for the process like we are already witnessing with ejection of Nigeria from the Egmont group, a body which the country needs for international cooperation in the war against graft. Whatever obstacle/s that has led to the ejection of the country must be identified, interrogated and excised by the Federal government.”
“The required approach must prioritize the essence of institutions above personalities; it must look thoroughly into the validity of the accusations and counter-accusations and where unethical and unlawful activity is established, necessary punitive must be applied. There is no place for ‘hiding behind a finger’ if any reasonable and amicable resolution is to be achieved.”
“Beyond the present manifestations, inter-agencies rivalries have always encumbered government performance at many levels must be confronted. This is the imperative of circumspection in whatever approaches the government is adopting beyond the present AGF and EFCC boss example. Yet, it is these unnecessary rivalries that must be eliminated before they germinate to more embarrassing picturesque.”
“The ‘rift’ between the Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Isah Misau, and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris calls for immediate intervention too. The Senator alleged that Idris collected about N120bn annually as payment for special security services rendered by the police to corporate organisations and very important personalities.”
“The IGP also accused Misau of being a deserter who was out on some mission. The allegations are serious and deserve to be treated in the same manner with the AGF/MAGU feud. The veracity or otherwise of the accusations and counter-accusations must be established such that anyone found culpable is made to face the wrath of law.” Adeniran concluded
You must be logged in to post a comment.